22-Year-Old UConn Student Dies After Mansfield Crash

MANSFIELD, CT — A 22-year-old Maine man died after a crash on Hunting Lodge Road in Mansfield, state police said.

He was a former University of Connecticut student-athlete and future golf course technician, school officials said.

The crash involved a Volvo XC60 traveling westbound on Hunting Lodge Road at 12:21 a.m. Tuesday. State police said the vehicle crossed over the eastbound lane and struck a tree.

The driver, identified as Zachary Barry, was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Hartford Hospital by Life Star helicopter with suspected serious, life-threatening injuries, according to an accident report.

The Volvo was towed from the scene to T&B Motors in Mansfield, according to an accident report..

At 2:43 a.m. Wednesday, Barry was pronounced dead at Hartford Hospital, according to state police.

The crash remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact Trooper Kyle Tiersch at 860-896-3200, extension 8088, or by email at Kyle.Tiersch@ct.gov.

UConn Dean of Students Fany DeJesús Hannon issued a statement:

"I am sorry to share the news of the passing of a CAHNR student, Zachary Barry. Zachary passed away on September 16, 2026 due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was a senior studying Plant Science with a focus on Turfgrass Science. Originally from Scarborough, Maine, he joined the UConn community in the fall 2022.

"At UConn, Zachary was a member of the Men’s Track and Field team from 2022-2024 and more recently was an active member of the Alpha Kappa Lamda fraternity. This past summer Zachary served as an intern at the Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey where he worked to develop his skills in the areas of course conditioning and turf health management.

"Condolences to Zachary’s family can be sent to the Dean of Students Office, 233 Glenbrook Road, Unit-4062, Storrs, Conn., 06269-4062."

Service information will be posted when available, school officials said.

Added the dean, "This is a challenging time for the UConn community. Support is available, and we encourage anyone in need to reach out to the offices listed below for guidance and assistance as we navigate this loss together."