Merritt Parkway Crash Kills 18-Year-Old in Stratford

A late-night crash on the Merritt Parkway in Stratford left an 18-year-old driver dead and a passenger injured. Connecticut State Police are investigating, and the incident has sparked new conversations about highway safety in the region.

Teen Driver Killed in Merritt Parkway Crash in Stratford

Connecticut State Police say 18-year-old Valentin Collazzo died late Sunday night after his vehicle left the southbound side of the Merritt Parkway in Stratford. The car hit a rock wall near Exit 36, in a stretch of road that many Fairfield County commuters—folks from Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Trumbull—know all too well.

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Troopers from Troop G in Bridgeport said Collazzo was heading southbound when, for reasons still unclear, his vehicle veered off the road. The car slammed into a rock wall, causing severe damage and fatal injuries to Collazzo.

Timeline of the Stratford Collision

State police reported that the crash happened just before midnight Sunday. Traffic on the Merritt Parkway tends to be lighter at that hour, but visibility can get tricky.

Emergency responders arrived just minutes after the impact was reported. Authorities confirmed a passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries.

That person received treatment after the crash. Police didn’t release more details about the passenger’s identity or condition.

No other vehicles were involved in the incident, according to police. It’s a small detail, but it matters for the investigation.

Ongoing Investigation by Connecticut State Police

Troopers from Troop G are leading the investigation. The Merritt Parkway cuts through communities like Stratford, Milford, Westport, and Norwalk, and even a single-car crash can back up traffic and draw a lot of attention.

Investigators haven’t said what might have caused the crash—speed, weather, mechanical problems, or impairment remain unknown. For now, they’re focused on piecing together what led Collazzo’s car to leave the road near Exit 36.

Witnesses Urged to Contact Troop G

State police are asking anyone who was driving near Exit 36 around midnight Sunday to reach out. Even a quick glimpse of the car or the road could help them figure out what happened before the crash.

If you saw anything, officials want you to call Troop G at:

800-575-6330

203-696-2500

Police say even if you’re not sure your info matters, it might be useful. Sometimes the smallest details can help an investigation move forward.

Regional Impact and Roadway Safety Concerns

The crash has hit communities across southwestern Connecticut—from New Haven and Hamden to Stamford and Danbury. People rely on the Merritt Parkway and other major roads every day, and when young drivers are involved in single-car crashes, it always sparks debate about speed, distractions, and the risks of driving at night.

State police haven’t pinned this crash on any specific cause, but safety officials keep reminding drivers to:

Slow down at night or in unfamiliar places

Stay alert and avoid distractions

Wear seat belts—everyone, every time

Be extra careful near curves, exits, and narrow shoulders

Folks in towns along the corridor—Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, Norwalk, Stamford, New Haven, and Danbury—should keep an eye on road conditions and plan ahead if a major crash happens. Sometimes, it pays to check before heading out.

Community Response and Next Steps

As word spreads about Collazzo’s death, friends, family, and neighbors in the Stratford area are left trying to make sense of the sudden loss. It’s tough to imagine someone so young gone so quickly.

Communities in Connecticut usually come together after tragedies like this. You’ll see informal memorials, school counselors stepping in, and sometimes a push for better teen driver education.

State police say they’re still investigating the Stratford Merritt Parkway crash. If you know anything, they really want you to reach out to Troop G at 800-575-6330 or 203-696-2500.

They’re working to figure out what exactly happened in the collision that took the life of 18-year-old Valentin Collazzo.

Here is the source article for this story: Police: 18-year-old killed after crashing on Merritt Parkway in Stratford

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