Fairfield University Student ID'd As A Victim In Fatal Stratford Crash

FAIRFIELD, CT — Alexander Dennis, who just completed junior year at Fairfield University, has been identified as the fourth victim in last Thursday's fatal crash on Route 15 in Stratford.

Dennis, 21, of Wayland, Massachusetts, was the wrong-way driver in the early morning two-vehicle crash, which killed three other people, according to Connecticut State Police.

The fiery crash occurred at about 1:45 a.m. in the southbound lane in the area of Exit 52 in Stratford.

Dennis was traveling northbound in the southbound lane when the 2016 Honda CR-V he was driving collided head-on with a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Touring. His injuries in the crash were extensive, and an autopsy was performed to positively identify Dennis.

The other three individuals who were killed in the crash, all Easton residents, were 65-year-old Steven P. Rowland, the driver, and passengers Thomas L. Vitale, 80, and Olga Vitale, 81, according to state police.

Route 15 southbound was closed for about seven hours following the crash for the state police investigation.

Dennis was a student in the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University, and he is remembered as a visual and performing arts major with a special interest in film. He was on his way home to Massachusetts at the time of the crash.

The university said it plans to celebrate Dennis' life in the fall when students return to campus.

"At a time of year when we are actively engaged in the celebration of our students and their accomplishments, a loss like this seems inconceivable," wrote Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, in a Facebook post. "Those who knew and loved Alex will be especially impacted by his passing, and his loss will be felt across campus. Our Jesuit colleagues are available to our community, as are staff members from Campus Ministry and the Counseling Center. For employees, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) may also be a helpful resource at this time."