Wrong-Way Motorist In Fatal North Haven Crash In Country Illegally: Feds

NORTH HAVEN, CT — The motorist who drove the wrong way on I-91 in North Haven, killing a University of New Haven student, was in the country illegally at the time, federal officials said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted on X on Oct. 30 about Guillermo Carmona-Lopez's status, calling him an "illegal alien from Mexico."

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"This was a completely avoidable tragedy, Carmona-Lopez was TWICE-DEPORTED and had ZERO standing to be in our nation," the post said.

Ryan Dennis O'Shea, 21, of New York, who attended UNH, sustained fatal injuries in the Oct. 16 accident, which happened around 11:43 p.m. near Exit 9 on the southbound side of the highway, state police said.

The police report indicates Carmona-Lopez, 31, of Bridgeport, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck the wrong way, or northbound in the southbound lanes, at the time of the collision.

O'Shea, who lived in Stony Point, New York, had been a criminal justice major.

In its social media post, the Department of Homeland Security calls the tragedy "Absolutely heartbreaking."

"DHS will continue the fight to prevent the creation of more Angel Families," the post added.

A Support Now fundraiser has been launched in O'Shea's honor. It notes he had been working "diligently toward his dream" of a career in law enforcement. Money raised will go to establish two memorial scholarships in his name, including one at North Rockland High School and one at the University of New Haven.

"Ryan brought energy, heart, and community together wherever he went. By contributing to these scholarship funds, you are helping his spirit continue to touch lives and support future generations at both his high school and college alma maters," the fundraiser states.

As of Tuesday, it had raised more than $60,000.

The accident remains under investigation.

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