1-Year-Old ID’d As 3rd Victim In Triple-Fatal Crash In Stratford: Police

STRATFORD, CT — A toddler has been identified as the third victim of a triple-fatal crash on Route 15 early Sunday morning in Stratford, according to Connecticut State Police.

In an update on Wednesday, police said the third victim has been identified as Yanelet DePaz, who would have turned 2 years old on Aug. 9.

No further information was immediately released regarding DePaz.

Police previously identified the other victims as Maria Vasquez Chacon, 29, of Trenton, New Jersey, and 21-year-old Joselyn Vasquez-Chacon.

The crash happened around 4:50 a.m. on May 11 on Route 15 South near Exit 36 in Stratford.

A preliminary investigation found that a 2012 Chrysler 200 and a 2008 Honda Civic were traveling in the right lane of two, according to police.

Police said a 2014 Lexus ES350 was traveling in the right lane behind the other two vehicles. The Lexus collided into the back of the Honda, which then crashed into the back of the Chrysler, according to police.

A fire ensued after the crash, according to police.

Police said the driver of the Honda and its two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene by Stratford Emergency Services. The driver was identified as Maria Vasquez Chacon and Joselyn Vasquez-Chacon was a passenger, according to police.

The third person killed, DePaz, was listed as “unknown” in the initial police report.

The driver of the Lexus fled before police arrived, according to police.

Police said about 10 feet of a wooden beam guardrail off the right shoulder was damaged in the incident.

The crash remains under investigation, and police continue to seek witnesses. Any witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Drew Smith at 203-696-2500 or drew.smith2@ct.gov.