Just after midnight on Friday, Sept. 29, six people, including five Sacred Heart students and an Uber driver, were seriously injured in a two-car car collision on Jefferson Street in Fairfield, near the entrance to the Martire Center, officials said.
Four female students were in an Uber going westbound on Jefferson Street, when an eastbound car, driven by a male student, hit a curb, lost control and collided with the Uber. The collision left the eastbound car on its roof, according to Fairfield police. The five students and the Uber driver were all transported to the area hospitals with critical injuries.
University President Dr. John Petillo reported that as of Oct. 2, one of the injured women was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon.
Gary MacNamara, Executive Director of Public Safety and Government Affairs at SHU, reported that SHU Public Safety officers were the first ones on scene, some of whom were on their way home when they came upon the crash.
“They immediately began assessing the occupants, providing medical attention and working with first responders to help ensure the scene was safe,” MacNamara said. “Other first responders came from Fairfield Police, Fairfield Fire Dept., AMR and even Bridgeport Fire Dept.”
Following the emergency response, MacNamara said that he, Petillo, and SHU Dean of Students, Denise Tiberio, among others, went to both hospitals to meet with families and injured students. Since then, Tiberio reported that they have made multiple visits.
“It’s a very hard day at Sacred Heart University on campus today. Not only for these students and their families, but other students who saw the crash, maybe not witnessed the crash, but were there when the response occurred. As well as the myriad of family members who send students to a university, it’s concerning for them and we know that,” MacNamara said in a news conference on Friday, Sept. 29, according to WFSB, a CBS affiliate for the Hartford–New Haven area.
Many students became aware of the incident shortly after it occurred. Sophomore Emma Ricotta was on her way back to her residence hall when she heard the news.
“I first heard about the incident on my way home in an Uber from a friend’s birthday party. I was approaching my dorm room 10 minutes after the incident had occurred,” she said. “My initial reaction was straight shock and fear. The worry of not knowing exactly what happened 10 minutes earlier was absolutely terrifying and heart breaking.”
The rest of the students and faculty found out later on Friday morning when Petillo emailed students and staff at 8:50 a.m., notifying them that classes were canceled from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to give them the chance to attend a prayer service held in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on campus at 11 a.m.
The email also let the community know that counseling would be available throughout the day from both the Counseling Center and Campus Ministry.
SHU parents also received an email from Tiberio that said, “Many of you have reached out regarding the car accident early this morning involving five SHU students. If you have not been able to reach your student, we want you to know that the parents of the students involved in the accident have been notified.”
At the prayer service, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit was filled to capacity, with many standing outside in the rain.
“The prayer service was so comforting. I felt the presence of every single person. I really felt the community in the chapel,” said freshman Rachel Minto. “So many people were there to show their love and support, even if it meant standing out in the rain.”
In an email to SHU students and staff on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 30, Petillo thanked those who attended Friday’s service.
“It is always heartwarming to see the incredible support for our own and be reminded of the special caring of the Sacred Heart community,” he said.
Campus organizations showed their support throughout the weekend by posting statements to their social media accounts, many of which used the caption and/or hashtag “Pray for SHU.” Among those was the fraternity Delta Tau Delta, who also sent flowers to the female students in the hospital, according to junior Gregory Van Sant, who is the Outreach Chair for the organization.
“All of the women involved in the accident were sent a bouquet followed by a kind message. [We] wanted to show them that the entire school and Delta Tau Delta is sending them nonstop prayers,” Van Sant said. “The victims, families, and their loved ones will also know how much love and support they have from their peers. As an organization, we are here and willing to help in any way that will benefit them.”
Petillo said that the university held moments of reflection before the women’s hockey game on Friday night and the football game on Saturday. He is also asking that the entire SHU community continue to pray for everyone involved in the accident and their families.
Some families of the injured students have created GoFundMe pages in order to support medical costs for those who were injured.
In an ongoing effort to make the area as safe as possible, SHU is working with local police on different initiatives for area roadways.
“We have been working with state and town officials on a variety of safety improvements on the streets that run adjacent to the University,” MacNamara said. “In addition, we have worked with local police to increase speed enforcement on Jefferson Street.”
In the Sept. 29 news conference, as reported by WFSB, MacNamara extended his gratitude to the community both within and surrounding the university.
“Sacred Heart is a community within a community… and we have received outreach from not only the town of Fairfield, but also from the city of Bridgeport and members of that greater community, supporting our students, supporting our families, and supporting the university as a whole,” he said. “We will get through this, all of us will get through this together, but it’s certainly going to take some time. And the SHU community thanks all that those other communities have given us.”
According to the Fairfield Police report, its Reconstruction Team is investigating the accident and will continue to release information as it becomes available.
