Two teenagers and a 21-year-old were killed and two teens were injured in a fiery crash on Center Street in Manchester early Saturday morning.
The car hit a utility pole and burst into flames around 1:20 a.m., according to Manchester police. The crash happened in front of R&R Plumbing at 600 Center Street.
Two people who were sitting in the front of the car escaped the fire, but the three passengers in the back seat did not, police said.
Police have not released the names of the two people who survived, but identified the deceased as 17-year-old Devon Smith, 18-year-old William King and 21-year-old Bernaria Mickens, all of Manchester.
The two survivors were taken to Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Their injuries are not life-threatening and they are expected to survive.
Before police released the names, Manchester Public School Superintendent Matthew Geary sent a letter to families identifying one of the deceased victims as a current student, and the other two as former students of the district.
Evan Blaschik, a Manchester High School senior who knew one of the victims, said he expected a lot of people to be affected by the news.
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“It’s just crazy that one day you like see them walking through the hallways and then you hear about this the next day,” he said.
“A senior feels like they’re invincible but we’re not.”
Justin Miller, also a senior, said that those involved were well-liked by classmates.
“Make sure you say I love you to all the people you love and all that because you never know the last time you’re going to see them,” he said.
Police said they are looking at speed as a possible factor in the crash.
