2 Middletown Teens Killed In Cromwell Crash

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Two Middletown teens were killed in a rollover crash on Route 9 in Cromwell Monday night, according to Connecticut State Police.

Police identified the victims as 16-year-old Chloe Russell and 14-year-old Sophia Rae Brancaccio, both of Middletown. They were passengers in a Toyota Tacoma that was being driven by Tavien Desean Harris, 18, also of Middletown.

The crash happened around 10:15 p.m. near Exit 20 on Route 9 South in Cromwell. Harris lost control of the truck and veered off the left side of the highway onto the grass median where it struck the embankment and rolled over, according to state police.

Police said both Russell and Brancaccio were ejected from the truck during the rollover. Russell was taken to Hartford Hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to police. Brancaccio was hit by another vehicle after she was ejected from the truck and pronounced dead at the scene.

Harris was hospitalized with a “possible injury,” according to police.

Witnesses described the other vehicle, which didn’t remain at the scene, as a smaller model SUV. A portion of Route 9 South was closed Tuesday morning for police to conduct a follow-up investigation of the crash.

Anyone with information about the crash, or the unknown SUV, is asked to contact Trooper John Wilson at 860-534-1098 or email john.wilson@ct.gov.