Motorcyclist, SUV Passenger Killed After Collision In Glastonbury Sunday

GLASTONBURY, CT — An 18-year-old motorcyclist and a 15-year-old passenger in a sport utility vehicle were killed after a collision between a motorcycle and the SUV in Glastonbury Sunday night.

Glastonbury police on Monday afternoon identified the fallen motorcyclist as being 18-year-old Gordon Southby, who police said was a senior at Glastonbury High School.

"He was transported from the scene of the crash and was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter at an area hospital," police said in a statement released at 12:59 p.m. Monday.

Glastonbury High School Principal Nancy Bean broke the sad news to the school community Monday, sending out a mass email to parents and students.

Included in the email was information regarding where students/staff could get counseling to cope with the loss.

She also expressed kind words about Southby, whose nickname was "Mac."

"Mac was very intelligent and charismatic and will be greatly missed. We have Mac's family and friends in our thoughts as they process this devastating loss," wrote Bean to the GHS community.

Bean said school counselors and psychologists and other support staff would be available to help the high school community deal with the tragedy.

The Colchester School System, meanwhile, identified the victim in the SUV as being 15-year-old Andra Spencer, a student at Bacon Academy, Colchester's public high school.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they endure this difficult time," wrote interim Colchester Superintendent of Schools Thomas Y. McDowell. "As a community, we are committed to supporting our students who may be emotionally impacted by this tragic news."

He wrote counselors would be available both at Bacon Academy and Colchester's William J. Johnston Middle School for any student needing some support.

Colchester schools also posted information on social media directing those who may need counseling to the 211 phone number to seek and request mental health services.

According to a Glastonbury police statement, a motorist traveling on Hebron Avenue called 911 at about 6:52 p.m. near the Route 2 east on-ramp reporting an accident between a motorcycle and the SUV.

Police said responders transported the motorcyclist and one occupant in the SUV to area hospitals for serious injuries.

The remaining occupants in the SUV were taken to the hospital for observation, according to police.

Police said the operator of the motorcycle was, eventually, pronounced dead at the hospital.

Later Monday morning, local police said a 15-year-old — later identified by Colchester schools as being Spencer — was sitting in the rear passenger seat of the SUV was later pronounced dead at the hospital as well.

The Glastonbury Police Department's traffic unit and Connecticut State Police traffic investigators are probing the cause of the accident.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call Glastonbury Police Department officer Sergey Sharov at 860-633-8301.