UConn Students Return to Class While Mourning 2 Sophomores' Deaths in Crash

Grief counseling will be offered at the UConn campus on Monday as classes resume and the university community comes together to cope with the deaths of two students who were killed in a car crash in Columbia.

Alana Ferrante, 19, of South Windsor, and Ryan Meegan, 19, of Ridgefield, who are both UConn sophomores, were killed when a tractor-trailer hit the Toyota Camry they were in late Friday afternoon on Route 66 in Columbia.

Ferrante was a pre-kinesiology major who had just transferred from Central Connecticut State University. She also played volleyball.

Meegan was studying to be a teacher, mentored through UConn's First Year Experience program and competed in soccer and rugby on campus.

"On Friday our rugby team didn't just lose a player but a brother. It's hard to talk about Ryan without bringing up his sense of humor and his upbeat personality," the UConn rugby team said in a statement. "No matter the situation he always managed to find a way to smile and that smile was contagious. Whether we had a long fitness session or a tough loss he always knew how to lift the team's spirit. He was a hardworking, eager, and committed player and a great friend. He was coaches' and players' ideal teammate … qualities not found too often nowadays. This was an incredibly tragic accident but our team will always remember Ryan and honor his memory. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan's friends and family in this difficult time."

Hannah Schmidt, 18, of Hebron, was driving the Camry, according to state police, and her injuries are believed to be serious. UConn officials said she is also a student at the university.

"We also extend our support and concern for a third UConn student who was injured in the same collision," Reitz said. "While we cannot discuss specifics of the individual's condition out of respect for the student's privacy, the University is united in its hope for a swift and full recovery."

The Ferrante and Meegan families are now planning funerals for the two college students.

"Losing a child is crazy, so I can't imagine what they're going through," Hellen Iannitti, a UConn freshman, said.

Ferrante's brother has launched an online fundraiser on www.funeralfund.com, seeking donations to help give his sister a proper funeral and burial. In just a few days, more than $12,000 has been raised.

He said in a post on the fund-raising page that he "lost the most influential and important person" in his life, calling Alana his confidante and support network. The two went on a hiking trip this summer and had planned on making it annual tradition to do something fun like that together. He called it "the best trip I had ever been on" and said it helped them grow even closer in the past few months.

"I have no idea what this means for my future as she was always part of my main focus towards life," he wrote on the fund raising page. "I didn’t care what I meant to the rest of the world, all that mattered was that I could share it with her. She was my twin in spirit."

UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said that Ferrante and Meegan both "epitomized the very best of UConn."

"Our deepest sympathies go out to their friends and families," Reitz said in a written statement.

"We hope they receive a measure of comfort in knowing Ryan and Alana were held in the highest regard by all who knew them here on campus."

Ferrante was also involved in the CT Volleyball Academy.

"The CTVA family is devastated and grief stricken," the volleyball academy posted on Facebook. "Our thoughts, prayers and love go out to the Ferrante family. You will be so missed!"

UConn is offering counseling services for those who need support.

"As in all such cases, UConn immediately reached out to friends and others on campus who knew Alana and Ryan, and encourage anyone who needs assistance to contact Counseling and Mental Health Services for confidential help in dealing with this difficult news," Reitz said. "A team of professionals from throughout the University are discussing ways to help our students, faculty and staff, and others in whatever ways may be necessary."

Police said the crash happened around 4:10 p.m. on Friday on Route 66 at the intersection of West Street in Columbia near the Hebron town line.

The tractor trailer, driven by 48-year-old Adolfo Lopez, of Hartford, was traveling east on Route 66 and hit the right side of the Toyota Camry, driven by 18-year-old Hannah Schmidt of Hebron, who was traveling south on West Street, and both vehicles hit a utility pole. Schmidt's injuries are suspected to be serious, according to a news release from state police.

Ferrante and Meegan, died at the scene. Schmidt was transported to Windham Hospital and LifeStar later transferred her to Hartford Hospital. Lopez was transported to Windham Hospital with minor injuries.

State police are investigating and another with information is asked to contact Trooper First Class Marsh at Troop K at 860-465-5400.

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