Late Saturday night, the quiet rhythm of the Connecticut winter was shattered when 30‑year‑old Wendy Lara of Manchester lost her life in a devastating wrong‑way collision on Route 5/15 in Wethersfield. The tragic crash near Exit 85 has left her family, friends and the wider community grappling with grief as investigators piece together exactly what happened.
Around 11:56 p.m., Connecticut State Police responded to reports of a head‑on crash that would ultimately claim Wendy’s life. Authorities say Wendy was driving a 2017 Toyota Camry north in the southbound lanes of the highway, directly against the flow of traffic, when her vehicle struck a 2025 Honda Prologue SUV head‑on.
The collision was immediate and violent, leaving both cars severely damaged and prompting multiple emergency crews to race to the scene. The two occupants of the Honda — a 46‑year‑old woman and a 48‑year‑old man from Rocky Hill — suffered suspected minor injuries and were transported to Hartford Hospital for treatment, according to police.
Meanwhile, Wendy was rushed by ambulance to the same hospital with life‑threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Sunday morning. Her sudden passing at just 30 has reverberated through Manchester and beyond, leaving a community searching for comfort.
Those who knew Wendy remember her as warm, compassionate and deeply connected to her friends and family. In Manchester, where she lived on Knighton Street, neighbors and loved ones have shared stories of her kindness and the genuine joy she brought into their lives. Her absence is already keenly felt.
In the hours since the crash, residents have gathered, shared prayers and comforted each other in community spaces and online. For many, there are simply no words that can soften the pain of losing someone so young and full of promise.
Connecticut State Police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the wrong‑way driving and ensuing crash. Troopers are urging anyone who may have information — especially motorists with dash‑cam footage from the area late Saturday night — to contact Troop H in Hartford at 860‑534‑1000.
As the investigation unfolds, Wendy’s family and the Manchester community are left holding onto memories and mourning a life taken far too soon. The impact of this tragedy will linger long after Route 5/15 reopens and the wreckage is cleared.
