Four individuals tragically lost their lives in a fiery wrong-way crash on the Merritt Parkway in Stratford early Thursday morning, according to an update by Connecticut State Police. The accident occurred around 1:45 a.m., prompting multiple reports of a wrong-way driver traveling south on Route 15 in the vicinity of Exit 52.

Upon receiving these reports, authorities were quickly notified that the vehicle had been involved in a head-on collision and had become engulfed in flames. Police later determined that a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Touring, driven by 65-year-old Steven P. Rowland, was traveling in the correct direction on Route 15 South when a 2016 Honda CRV, driven by an unidentified individual traveling northbound in the southbound lanes, collided with it.

Tragically, the Honda burst into flames upon impact. All three passengers in the Chrysler, identified as 80-year-old Thomas L. Vitale and 81-year-old Olga Vitale, along with the driver, Steven P. Rowland, were pronounced dead at the scene. Due to the severity of their injuries, the identity of the Honda's driver is pending the results of an autopsy.

Emergency response teams, including the Stratford Fire Department, Trumbull Fire Department, Stratford EMS, and the state Department of Transportation, swiftly arrived at the scene to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts. The southbound lanes of Route 15 had to be closed for approximately seven hours following the accident.

Connecticut State Police Troop G is currently carrying out an investigation into the crash and is urging anyone with information to contact them at 203-696-2500.

This devastating incident serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of staying alert and following traffic laws to prevent such catastrophic accidents.