University Of New Haven Student Killed In Wrong-Way Fatal I-91 Crash In North Haven, ID Released

NORTH HAVEN, CT — A University of New Haven student was killed in a fatal wrong-way crash on I-91 in North Haven, state police said.

At 11:43 p.m. Friday, Troop I responded to Interstate 91 south, near Exit 9 for reports of a wrong-way driver.

Before arrival, the vehicle was involved in a multi-car head-on collision.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2018 Honda Accord was traveling southbound on Interstate 91 in the left lane.

A 2005 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes, the wrong-way against the flow of traffic, and struck the Accord in a head-on collision, state police said.

The Accord then entered the left-center lane, where it was struck by a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, state police said.

The Accord then entered the right lane and right shoulder, where it was struck by a 2022 GMC Terrain.

Ryan Dennis O'Shea, 21, of New York, sustained fatal injuries, state police said. The driver of the Silverado was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital for serious life-threatening injuries, state police said.

The driver of the Jeep and their passenger were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. The driver of the GMC Terrain was also taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

The University of New Haven said, "We are mourning the tragic loss of a member of our Charger community. Ryan O’Shea ’27 died late Friday night as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident."

A resident of Stony Point, NY, he was a criminal justice major with a concentration in police science. He interned last summer with the New York City Police Department, where he hoped to start his career as a police officer after Commencement.

O'Shea was also a proud member and senior captain of the University’s men’s ice hockey club team.

“Ryan was an avid sports fan, and he was always ready to have a sports-related conversation,” said his academic adviser Lorenzo Boyd, Ph.D., Stewart Professor of Community Policing, in a statement. “Ryan wanted to go into public service in order to help others. He was engaging in the classroom and will be missed greatly.”

“Ryan embodied everything that is good about being a Charger,” shared Devin Bertrand, general manager of the men’s ice hockey club, in a prepared statement. “His infectious personality lit up our locker room the moment he walked in, and his love for his teammates will never be forgotten.”

“The loss of a young life is heartbreaking, and I cannot begin to imagine the grief that Ryan’s family is experiencing,” said Virginia Maxwell, D.Phil., interim dean of the Lee College. “Our Lee College community mourns Ryan’s tragic loss, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by him.”

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This collision remains under further investigation. State Police are requesting if you have any information to contact TPR Miko #1353 at Troop I - Bethany via (203) 393-4200 or Patrick.Miko@ct.gov.