On a quiet Saturday night in Rhode Island, two promising 19-year-olds from Connecticut — Ayanna Voyak of Hartford and Aisha Jules of New London — lost their lives in a devastating single-car crash that has left their families and communities reeling.
Just before 11:40 p.m., the Rhode Island State Police were called to a grisly scene on Interstate 95 near Exit 21 in West Warwick. According to authorities, a silver Toyota, carrying six people, veered off the highway. The vehicle smashed into a tree, trapping all occupants in wreckage so mangled that first responders struggled to free them.
When rescuers finally reached inside, they discovered Ayanna had already succumbed to her injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Aisha, who had been rushed to Rhode Island Hospital alongside four others, later died despite intensive medical efforts.
The Rhode Island State Police have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Their Collision Reconstruction Unit is working to piece together exactly what went wrong. Reports so far don’t offer any definitive reason — whether speed, impairment, or mechanical failure may have played a role remains unknown.
For those who knew Ayanna and Aisha, the tragedy is staggering. Both were barely out of their teens, filled with dreams and a bright future ahead. Friends describe Ayanna as joyful, kind, and caring; Aisha as warm, fun-loving, and deeply loved. Their loss has rippled across Hartford, New London, and beyond — communities united now in shock, grief, and prayer.
Family members are left to pick up pieces, grappling with the unimaginable sorrow of losing their daughters so suddenly. As they mourn, they ask for privacy, compassion, and continued support from everyone touched by this tragic event.
Meanwhile, first responders and those who arrived at the scene say it’s an image they won’t soon forget: a wrecked car, lives hanging in the balance, and the heartbreaking work of extraction in the dark of night.
In remembering Ayanna and Aisha, loved ones emphasize they shouldn’t just be defined by their tragic end — but by the light and love they brought to others. Their memories carry on as a reminder of how fragile life is, and how deeply two young lives so full of promise can affect an entire community.
