CONN. - Four people died in a car crash in Thompson, Conn. on Monday evening after an 18-year-old driver reportedly lost control of their vehicle while attempting to pass another car.

The crash comes at the beginning of what’s known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” a period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal teen crashes increase dramatically. 

Police say the vehicle Johan Santana, 18, of Providence, was driving ran off of Quaddick Town Farm Road in Thompson and struck a tree, killing him and three of the four passengers. As of Tuesday evening, one person remained in critical condition. 

The three other passengers who died were also from Providence - Jaslin Perez, 21, Lixandra Terrero Almonte, 21, and Erika Perez, 21. 

Connecticut State Police Sgt. Dawn Pagan said there were five fatal crashes resulting in 12 deaths on Connecticut roadways over Memorial Day weekend, and there’s an important lesson to be learned from Monday’s crash.

“We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to wear your seat belt,” Sgt. Pagan said. “Sadly, in this situation in Thompson, none of the occupants were wearing their seat belt. Seat belts save lives. It’s something where a small change in what you do can be made into a habit and you don’t have to think twice about it. Put your seat belt on, and it can make a difference.”

From 2011 to 2020, over 6,400 people died in teen-driving related crashes between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 

“There’s definitely an increase in traffic with the nice weather. People are taking long weekends, going on vacation, when the weather is nice everybody is out and about,” said Douglas Police Chief Nick Miglionico. “And unfortunately, everybody is always in a hurry.”

Chief Miglionico said his officers keep a watchful eye on the roads over the summer months, and unbuckled seatbelts are just one of many hazards they look out for. 

“What we want to get across to people is that we think they need to slow down and pay attention,” Chief Miglionico said. “A lot of these accidents that we’re seeing are caused by speed, inattention, and unfortunately, some of them are caused by impaired driving.”

As an investigation continues into Monday’s crash, Sgt. Pagan says officers’ hearts go out to the families who lost a loved one and are looking for answers.

“They will come. Allow them to do their investigation. We are leading the technology in New England as far as reconstruction,” Sgt. Pagan said. “They have many tools available to them and they are lengthy, time-consuming investigations, but we want to get it right and make sure they have the answers that they need.”

Sgt. Pagan also notes we’re in the middle of the nationwide Click it or Ticket campaign, which runs until June 5. In 2020, more than half of fatal crashes in the 18 to 34 age group were among people who weren’t wearing their seat belt.