One person has died and another is seriously injured following a crash on Route 66 in Middlefield late Friday night.
Emergency crews responded to the incident near the intersection of Meriden Road and Baileyville Road shortly before midnight.
According to fire officials, two vehicles were involved, both sustaining significant damage. One vehicle overturned and caught fire in the engine compartment. Bystanders rescued an occupant from this vehicle, who was treated for serious injuries by emergency personnel. LifeStar was requested but later canceled; the individual was transported to Hartford Hospital for care.
Authorities reported that a person in the second vehicle was seriously injured and later pronounced dead. The deceased has been identified as 46-year-old Venancio Papalotzi-George from Meriden.
Route 66 was closed for several hours during the investigation but has since reopened. The Connecticut State Police Accident Reconstruction Team is actively investigating the crash. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Troop F at (860) 399-2100.