Hundreds Attend Vigil for Southington Teens Killed in Crash

Hundreds of mourners attended a vigil Wednesday night at the high school softball field after two teens were killed in an accident on I-84.

AnnMarie “Annie” Olender, 16, and Olivia Fusco, 14, were remembered by friends, family and community members.

Taylor Harton, 15, a friend of both girls said people wanted to the remember the good things, according to the Hartford Courant.

School Superintendent Timothy Connellan again urged students and staff members to seek help if they need it in the wake of the tragedy.

Support services will be offered at the high school and the municipal center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Town Councilor and minister the Rev. Victoria Triano said the entire community was in mourning and it affected every person she knew in town, according to the Record-Journal.

Olender had finished her sophomore year in high school and was a member of the softball team.

Fusco had finished at John F. Kennedy Middle School and was entering her freshman year at Southington High School, according to her obituary. She had hoped to play rugby and join the math club.

“Olivia’s beautiful blue eyes and her warm smile will be missed by all those who knew her,” according to her obituary.

A GoFundMe has been set-up to help cover the funeral costs for the Olender family.

Olender was driving the vehicle during the Tuesday crash, according to State Police.

The Hyundai Accent was traveling in the left lane on I-84 eastbound prior to Exit 32 when it left the roadway and struck a wire rope guide in the left shoulder.

It then continued into an embankment area and overturned before striking a tree, police said.

Both were wearing their seat belts, according to State Police. The airbag didn’t deploy.

Olender obtained her learner’s permit on April 22, according to a spokesman from the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

State law forbids those with learner’s permits from having passengers except for licensed driving instructors or a person who is at least 20-years-old and has had a driver’s license for four or more consecutive years.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation and no other vehicles were involved. Multiple lanes were closed for several hours as police investigated.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact Trooper William Bevans at 860-534-1000 ext 6136.

Image of Annmarie (left) via GoFundMe page. Image of Fusco (right) via obituary