Lexus struck Honda near Exit 36 before vehicle caught fire in Stratford
May 10, 2026 | Stratford, CT
What happened in the Route 15 crash?
Maria Vasquez Chacon, 29, and Joselyn Vasquez Chacon, 21, both of Trenton, New Jersey, died after a Lexus struck a Honda Civic on Route 15 near Exit 36 in Stratford.
- Location: Southbound Route 15 near Exit 36, Stratford, Connecticut
- Time: Approximately 4:50 a.m. on May 10
- Vehicles involved: 2014 Lexus ES350 rear-ended a 2008 Honda Civic, which then struck a 2012 Chrysler 200
- Victims: 29-year-old Maria Vasquez Chacon and 21-year-old Joselyn Vasquez Chacon, both of Trenton, New Jersey
- Outcome: Honda caught fire, and both sisters and one additional occupant died
The southbound Lexus driver fled the scene and remains at large. Connecticut State Police are investigating and ask anyone with information to call 203-696-2500.
Why do hit-and-run crashes occur?
More than one hit-and-run crash happens every minute across the United States. Drivers often flee due to intoxication, lack of a valid license, or fear of arrest.
| Statistic | Source | Details |
|---|
| Annual Connecticut fatalities | CDC | 274 motor vehicle deaths in 2025, down 11% from the prior year |
| National hit-and-run frequency | Federal Highway Administration | One incident every minute on average |
Legal Insights
Andrew G. Finkelstein, managing partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices, offered a perspective on cases such as this.
"It is essential to reconstruct the accident to identify all the vehicles involved and determine the circumstances that led to the accident or the driver at fault. Insurance companies are never on the side of a victim injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident."
- Families may pursue compensation for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress
- Early statements to insurers can affect outcomes
- Professional investigation helps protect rights during a difficult time
In cases such as this, the families of Maria and Joselyn Vasquez Chacon may explore wrongful death claims once the investigation concludes.
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If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a hit-and-run driver, our national legal analyst Andrew G. Finkelstein is available to provide a free, no-obligation consultation to help guide you.
(Andrew G. Finkelstein, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices to help you, please call 855-976-8163 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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