meriden

Teen Thrown from Drunken Foster Dad's Car Has Died: Police

A 17-year-old Maloney High School student who was in critical condition after a crash in Meriden Monday morning has died, according to police. Police previously said the teen’s foster father, who was driving the SUV the boy was in, was under the influence.

Meriden police said the 17-year-old, Alex Medina, was a passenger in the back seat of a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder that crashed into a utility pole near Baldwin Pond just after 11 a.m. and he was thrown from the vehicle and hit his head on a tree.

The teen was airlifted by LifeStar to the hospital, where he was in intensive care. Police said he was not wearing a seatbelt. Police said Medina was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and school officials have been notified,

Another family member who was visiting from another country was in the front seat of the SUV and was transported to Midstate Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Police said the driver, 65-year-old James Bailey, failed a field sobriety test at the scene and had a blood alcohol level of one and a half times the legal limit of .08. He was not injured in the crash.

Police who arrived at the scene found the Pathfinder off the road and in several bushes across from the entrance to Baldwin’s Pond.

The vehicle was going north on North Wall Street at a high rate of speed, when it went off the road and hit a telephone pole in front of 193 North Wall St., police said. After snapping the pole, the Nissan continued north and hit another telephone pole located in front of 231 North Wall St.

Bailey was charged with DUI, reckless driving, reckless endangerment and assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle.

He was released after posting $200,000 bond and is due in court on Oct. 15.

Police said Friday that Baily will face additional charges. 

The state Department of Children and Families released a statement on Friday in response to Medina's death and said they are investigating.

"The Department of Children and Families is deeply saddened to confirm Alexander Medina, our child in foster care from Meriden, passed away last night from injuries sustained in a car crash on Monday of this week.

"Since that time, we have sat with his family to offer comfort, in the aftermath of such a horrible tragedy. Staff throughout our department also grieve Alex's loss as they remember his engaging personality and great promise.

We extend our sympathies to Alex's friends, classmates, school personnel, his Attorney and provider partners who are also deeply affected by his passing.

"DCF would like to extend sincere thanks to the community members who rushed to the scene - First Responders from the Meriden Police and Fire Departments & Emergency Medical Technicians. We are very appreciative towards the medical & support staff of Hartford Hospital, for their excellent care and compassion.

"Consistent with Governor Lamont's expectation of transparency and to fulfill our obligation to Alex's memory and all the other children we serve, we are reviewing our involvement and his placement in the foster home."

Police are investigating and ask anyone with information to call the Meriden Police Department at 203 630-6215.

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