An 18-year-old from West Haven has died after losing control of his car and crashing into a utility pole yesterday afternoon in Orange, according to police.
A.J. Cedillo, a 2013 graduate of West Haven High School, received life-threatening injuries and died at Yale-New Haven Hospital on Saturday evening, police said.
He was traveling with three female passengers, also teeneagers. The three passengers were transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital for treatment of serious injuries, according to police.
Two are still hospitalized and "have a long road to recovery," according to police. The third passenger has been treated and released.
The crash happened just before 4 p.m. Friday. Police said Cedillo's black Subaru sedan was traveling westbound on Indian River Road when Cedillo lost control and veered off the road.
Witnesses said they heard a screeching sound followed by a large crash as the car traveled downhill and around a corner in the area of 85 Indian River Road.
"I heard the car flying up the road, and then I heard skidding and then I heard a bang," said Vanessa Naples, who lives nearby. "So I just ran outside."
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Vanessa's siter, Danielle Dalling, was also at the scene.
"I was just yelling for somebody to call 911," Dalling said.
Both women approached the car and called it the worst accident they'd ever seen. Dalling said she helped police remove one of the victims from the car.
Fire officials extricated the other three passengers.
A flatbed arrived to tow the car around 8:30 p.m.
Indian River Road was closed at Old Lambert Road in Orange and Rose's Mill Road was closed at Peck Lane in Milford while police worked to clear the scene.
Neighbors said accidents are common along this stretch of the road and worry this accident won't be the last and might not be the worst.
Authorities have not specified whether they believe speed was a factor in the crash and are investigating to determine the cause.
Anyone with information should contact Orange Police Officer Brian Foote at 203-891-2130.
