A teen and two men have died after crashing into hit a tree on Route 82 near Wawecus Hill Road in Bozrah, close to the Norwich line, according to state police.
The fatal collision happened just after 1 a.m. on Thursday. The victims have been identified as Kenneth Barki, 23, of Taftville, Jesse Robinson, 22, of Uncasville, and Terence Garland, 19, of Norwich.
The car, a 1995 Mitsubishi, was crushed and two people were ejected from it after the driver lost control while traveling eastbound and struck trees, according to police.
All three victims were unconscious when emergency crews responded and were pronounced dead at the scene.
"Whenever there's a loss of life in a car crash, it's terrible, but to have three individuals lose their lives in a single vehicle... it just adds to the tragedy," said state police spokesman Lt. Paul Vance.
Route 82, also known as Salem Turnpike, was closed from Wawecus Hill to Teddy Lane for several hours as troopers investigated.
State police are asking anyone with information about the crash to call State Police Trooper McGregor at 860-465-5400 ext. 4092.
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Residents said this is a dangerous stretch of road and said they would like to see more patrols or speed bumps.
Keith Lafaille lives just across the street and rushed over to the scene after hearing the impact.
"One of the Norwich PD guys said he's been doing it for 20 years and he's never seen an acicdent this bad," Lafaille said.
In May 2012, Nathan Williams, 36, of Norwich, was killed when a car hit a utility pole in the same location and another person was hospitalized.
