Meriden Teen Critically Injured In Crash Dies

MERIDEN, CT — A 17-year-old student critically injured in a Monday crash has died, The Meriden Record-Journal reported. Alex Medina died around 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Hartford Hospital.

Medina was riding in the back seat of Nissan Pathfinder driven by his foster father, James Bailey, when it struck a telephone pole on North Wall St. at around 11 a.m. Monday.

The driver of the vehicle, James Bailey, has been arrested after a field sobriety test found his blood-alcohol content was 1.5 times the legal limit of .08, according to a police statement. He was charged with DUI, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, and second-degree assault with a motor vehicle.

Bailey was released after posting $200,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 15.

Police said Bailey's Nissan Pathfinder was traveling north when it veered off the road and struck a telephone pole in front of 193 North Wall Street. After snapping the pole, the vehicle continued north and sideswiped another pole at 231 North Wall Street. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, according to police.

The impact of striking the second pole caused the back seat passenger, Medina, who was not wearing a seat belt, to be ejected from the vehicle, striking the telephone pole.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Meriden Police Department at 203 630-6215.