Updated: Fatal Crash Closes Route 44

Coventry police and Metro Traffic Services are investigating a fatal car crash on Route 44 on Wednesday morning.  

Coventry chief Mark Palmer said that a "serious motor vehicle crash" was reported at 1:37 a.m. on Route 44, west of North River Rd., in Coventry. 

The vehicle, a 2000 Honda Civic was heading eastbound, drive off the road and struck a utility pole, he said. One of the occupants of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene and the second occupant was transported by ambulance to Hartford Hospital and was later pronounced dead, Palmer said.

Metro Traffic was summoned to the scene. Members of the South Windsor, Glastonbury and Enfield Police departments responded, Palmer said.

The North Coventry Volunteer Fire Department responded with rescue vehicles as well as CVFA ambulance, he said. 

Connecticut Light & Power crews responded to secure the heavily damaged utility pole, Palmer said.

Power remained out in the immediate area at 8 a.m. while crews worked to replace the pole, he said. The road was to remain closed until the repair work was completed, Palmer said.

Though the accident remains under investigation, the "extreme damage" to the vehicle and other evidence at the scene suggests that speed was a contributing factor in the accident, Palmer said.

The identities of the victims are not being released pending next of kin notifications, Palmer said.

Update 11:12 a.m. 

Coventry police have released the names of the victims: 

Jessica Clark, 25 of Brigham Tavern Road, Coventry and Walter Parsell, 20, of Timber Lane, Willington. 

Said Palmer, "We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of this tragic accident."

The investigation is ongoing, Palmer said.