Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Police Release Names Of Two Meriden Children Who Died In Sunday Crash

Israel Gonzalez, 29, of Meriden, is facing felony charges following a Sunday morning car crash that left two children dead and three other people in the hospital.

Update Monday 8:11 a.m.:

The Meriden Police Department has released the names of the two children who died Sunday morning in Meriden when the car they were sitting in was allegedly struck from behind by an SUV.

The names of the children are Tatiana Cruz, aged 5, and Lorezno Cruz, aged 8, both of Meriden. Additionally, the parents of Tatiana and Lorenzo were also in the car and were treated for injuries. Their names are Michael Cruz and Gina Schroder.

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A third boy - the son of Schroder and the stepson of Michael Cruz - was also in the car and was rushed to the intensive care unit. His name is Alejandro Schroder, aged 12. All are from Meriden 

Update Sunday 10:18 a.m.:

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A 29-year-old Meriden man was arrested Sunday on three charges following an early-morning accident that left two children dead and another in the intensive care unit.

Israel Gonzalez, 29, of 108 Ann Street, Meriden, was charged Sunday with felony evading responsibility, reckless driving and driving a motor vehicle without a drivers license after he allegedly drove his SUV into a Subaru early this morning and killed two children while sending a third into the intensive care unit. Police also said that they are planning on obtaining a warrant to get the results of his blood alcohol content and "further serious charges are pending," according to a press release from the Meriden Police Department.

Gonzalez is being held on $1 million bond. 

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Original Story: 

Two children, aged 5 and 8, died in a car crash early this morning in Meriden, while three other people - including a 12-year-old child - sustained injuries in the accident.

WFSB reports that an SUV rear-ended a car early this morning at a traffic light on Broad Street in Meriden. The car held five people, and two inside - a 5-year-old and an 8-year-old - are dead, according to the news station. A third child, aged 12, is in serious condition, and the two adults in the car - the parents of the childen who were killed - were both taken to area hospitals to be treated for injuries, according to the station.

WFSB reports that the driver of the SUV tried to run from the scene, but was founding hiding at a nearby house. Police believe speed and alcohol were contributing factors to the crash, according to the news station.

Patch will update this story with more information as it comes available. 


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