High School Student Killed In New Milford Crash Identified [UPDATE]

NEW MILFORD, CT — The New Milford teen who died in a three-car crash on Route 7 in New Milford on Friday night has been identified as Julio Gomez, 17, WTNH News-8 reported. Three other people were also injured in the accident.

The crash happened around 2:30 p.m. near Italia Mia Restaurant. An Infiniti G35 was driving north on Route 7 in the right lane and struck a Hyundai Tucson trying to turn into the restaurant from the southbound left lane, News 12 Connecticut reported. The Infiniti then hit a Nissan Rouge driving south on Route 7.

Gomez, the Infiniti's passenger, was transported to Danbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 17-year-old driver was also transported to Danbury Hospital and is in critical condition, according to WTNH News-8.

The passenger in the Nissan SUV was taken to Danbury Hospital and listed in critical condition but since was transferred to another hospital, The News-Times reported. The Nissan's driver was hospitalized and is in stable condition.

Route 7 was closed for about eight hours on Friday due to an investigation of the crash.

Counselors are being made available to New Milford High School students. Classes at the school will resume Tuesday, according to The Hartford Courant.

A vigil has been scheduled for Monday night at 7 p.m. at the high school, New Milford Mayor Pete Bass posted on social media.

The high school released a statement confirming that a student from the district had died.

"At this time, out of respect for the family, we ask that we not speculate what may have happened in this situation but rather we understand that the passing of anyone from our community is a great loss which, in one way or another, affects each of us," the district statement reads. "It is very important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to grieve, as each person will have their own experience and that experience is valid."

Bass, Superintendent Janet Parlato, the New Milford Town Council, and the New Milford Board of Education also issued a statement offering condolences to the student's family and prayers for a quick recovery for those hospitalized in the accident.

"It is at times like these that we, as a community, pull together to lift one another up," the statement reads. "Especially our children who especially need us in these times."

Read the full story at WTNH News-8, News 12 Connecticut, and The Hartford Courant.