Haddam Teenager, 18, Killed In Accident At Hammonasset In Madison

MADISON, CT - An 18-year-old teenager and recent high school graduate died Saturday night when an SUV he was a passenger in at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison flipped over in an accident, NBC Connecticut reports.

The crash occurred at 7:10 p.m. and involved one vehicle which occurred near the ticket booth, NBC CT reports. A total of six people were inside the SUV and two people were thrown from the vehicle.

A passenger, Nicholas Proto, 18, of Higganum, was pronounced dead at Yale-New Haven Hospital, authorities added, NBC reported. The driver and three passengers were hospitalized in the accident, the Middletown Press reports.

Porto was a star football player and a recent graduate at Haddam-Killingworth High School, according to the website MaxPreps.com.

A GoFundMe Page has been started to help the family with funeral arrangements. In 18 hours, nearly $20,000 has been raised.

The GoFundMe page states: "Nick Proto 18 years old from Haddam unexpectedly passed on June 22nd. He was a hilarious and caring kid. Nick loved to watch basketball, and play basketball with his friends. He was a son and a great friend to so many. We are hoping to come together as a community to help the family with funeral expenses."

The park was closed Saturday night so authorities could investigate the cause of the accident. The park has reopened this morning, the Middletown Press reports.

>>>Read More at NBC CT.

>>>Read more at the Middletown Press.

>>>View the GoFundMe page here.

GoFundMe is a Patch partner.