This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Three Young Victims Identified In Branford Crash

One day after reporting the tragic deaths of three involved in a one-vehicle accident on Hosley Avenue, the identities of the young victims who lost their lives in the crash, two East Haven residents and an East Haddam resident, were confirmed by Branford Police Department (BPD).

According to police, preliminary findings of the investigation indicate the fatal crash was caused after "the driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road while traveling at an excessive speed."

On April 28, police responded to an early morning report of the accident, after a call came into the Branford Emergency Communications Center from a passing motorist at 6:35 who saw a vehicle crashed off the road, but did not observe the crash happen.

Branford police and fire personnel located the three victims at the scene.  Police worked with the state Office of the Chief Medical examiner to identify the victims and make notifications to next of kin, followed by the release of the victim's names. Police said the operator was identified as Megan Nicole Povilaitis, 17, of East Haven; and  identified the passengers as siblings Robert Dudchik, 22, of East Haven and Anthony Dudchik,19, of East Haddam.

Following police clearing the scene on April 28, visitors placed flowers at the crash site.

Working with the South Central Regional Traffic squad, police continue to investigate the fatal crash. Members of the public with any information are asked to contact Sgt. Christopher Romanello at (203) 481-4241.

"Our condolences are with the families and friends of the victims during their bereavement," BPD noted, in an April 29 statement at its Facebook page which shared the identities of the victims.

Comments responding to BPD posts regarding the accident shared dozens of condolences and also several making note of issues other drivers have encountered while negotiating Hosley Avenue, including a range of pot holes encountered along portions of the road, which in some areas is winding, unlit and travels through heavily wooded sections of land beside Lake Saltonstall. The roadway intersects with Brushy Plain Road at one end and with Route 1/West Main Street at the other.