Fairfield U student killed in after-semester crash

Alexander Dennis, a member of the class of 2025, was killed in a crash on his way home after completing his junior year on campus.

A Fairfield University student died in a crash while on his way home to Massachusetts, the school said Friday.

The school said Alexander Dennis, a member of the class of 2025, was killed in a crash on his way home after completing his junior year on campus.

“Alex had just completed his junior year here on campus and was traveling home to Massachusetts for the summer when the car accident occurred,” the school said in a statement.

“As a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, Alex was a visual and performing arts major with a special interest in film.”

The school declined to provide more information about the crash.

Connecticut State Police declined to say whether Dennis was involved in the fatal wrongway Merritt Parkway crash in Stratford that killed four people early Thursday.

Police said they have not been able to identify the wrong-way driver, whose SUV burst into flames after the collision, due to the extent of his injuries.

Dennis has the same last name as the person listed on the state police report as the owner of the wrong-way driver’s car, which was registered in Massachusetts. Asked Friday about the cause and manner of Dennis’ death, the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said, “the individual has not been formally identified yet; therefore, we are unable to provide any information at this time.”

The Merritt Parkway crash also killed three occupants of a minivan, which state police said the wrong-way driver hit headon early Thursday morning in the southbound lanes near the James Farm Road overpass in Stratford.

State police identified the occupants of the minivan as Easton residents Steven P. Rowland, 65, Thomas Lucian Vitale, 80, and Olga Vitale, 81.

In a statement, Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec said Jesuit colleagues and staff from the campus ministry and counseling center are available those grieving Dennis’ death.

The school also is planning a celebration of Dennis’ life in the fall when students return to campus.

“At a time of year when we are actively engaged in the celebration of our students and their accomplishments, a loss like this seems inconceivable.

“Those who knew and loved Alex will be especially impacted by his passing, and his loss will be felt across campus,” Nemec said.