Former East Haven High Football Coach Killed In Wrong-Way Crash

STONINGTON, CT — The Connecticut high school sports community is mourning the death of beloved former East Haven and Bulkeley high school football coach Melvin Wells, 55, of Hamden, who was killed in a wrong-way crash Saturday night on Interstate 95 in Stonington.

The accident which involved four cars occurred around 6:30 p.m. Saturday when Larry Stallings, 32, of Bristol, was driving the wrong way on the highway by Exit 91 and his vehicle collided head-on with Wells' vehicle, according to media reports. Both Stallings and Wells were killed in the crash. Stallings' passenger, Londeen Jamal Pisani, 29, of Waterbury, suffered serious injuries in the accident, the New London Day reports.

Their vehicles also struck two other cars and a total of 10 people were involved in the crash. No other details about what might have led to the accident have yet been released. Once word of Wells' death surfaced Sunday there was an outpouring of grief from many in the sports community.

East Haven High School Yellowjackets said, "East Haven High School mourns the passing of former Head Football Coach, Melvin Wells. Coach Wells had a profound impact on many student-athletes during his time at EHHS. Guidance Counselors and Social Workers will be available for counseling services for students when we return to school. Counseling services will be available in the Guidance Office. Our thoughts are with the Wells' family during this very difficult time."

Alex Trasacco, who played football with Wells at Southern Connecticut State University and also coached with him, told the New Haven Register that his friend's "heart was bigger than anything and he kind of put that in all of us, too."

In 2018, Wells served as an assistant football coach at Hillhouse High School in New Haven. The Register reports that Wells was on his way back home after visiting his son at college in Massachusetts.

“Winning this award is a great honor, especially because it’s received from the people who supervise and monitor the game,” Wells said back in 2012. “I am grateful they see me as a role model and positive influence on young people. We have a great group of kids this year who work extremely hard. This award represents them far more than myself.”

Under Coach Wells’ leadership, Hyde won the Class S state championship in 2009. “Coach Wells is an exemplary leader who supports his players on and off the field and is a model for good sportsmanship,” said former long-time Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Reginald Mayo.