Former Enfield Resident Killed in Car Crash

ASHFORD, CT — A fatal crash on Route 44 Wednesday morning took the life of a former Enfield resident, state police said.

The crash took place at 9:34 a.m. on Route 44 near the intersection of Route 89. According to state police, Ashley Ryba, 24, of Pomfret, was traveling west in a 2010 Toyota Prius when she suddenly left the road to the right, bounced off a metal guardrail, came back onto the road and hit a 1995 International Paystar truck in the eastbound lane being driven by 53-year-old Joel Stavens of Tolland,.

Ryba was pronounced dead at the scene, and Stavens was not injured, state police said.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked call the Troop C barracks at 860-896-3200.

Ryba graduated from Enrico Fermi High School in 2011, and was an honor roll student.

A number of friends have posted condolence messages on her Facebook page:

• "Another one taken too young. RIP Ashley Ryba! My thoughts and prayers are with your family! Rock the heavens girl! I'll never forget you."
  
• "Wow RIP ... Ashley Ryba you were very sweet kind and soooo funny in high school.. Such a good person taken too soon. Prayers to friends and family."
• "This is going to be the hardest day of my life... I never felt this much pain. You were more then just a best friend. You were like a sister to me. You were such an amazing person inside and out. I never thought this day would come. I have so many questions, but not enough answers. I wish I could have said goodbye. You will always be my one and only best friend. Until we meet again. I love you so much!!!!!!"

Reporting by Chris Dehnel (Patch Staff)

Patch file photo