University of New Haven Mourns Student Killed in Wrong-way Crash

WHO:

WTNH - Ryan O’Shea, a University of New Haven student from Stony Point, New York, was killed in the crash.

NH Register - Katherine O’Shea, 18, described Ryan, her brother, as “a beautiful spirit.”

WTNH - The other driver was traveling the wrong way.

WHAT:

NH Register - An online fundraiser for Ryan O’Shea states that contributions to scholarship funds will help “his spirit continue to touch lives.”

NH Register - More than $28,000 was raised to honor O’Shea.

WTNH - O’Shea died in a head-on crash with a wrong-way driver.

WTNH - Visitation and funeral services were scheduled for O’Shea.

NH Register - Katherine O’Shea said her brother “was so close to graduation.”

WHERE:

WTNH - The crash occurred on Interstate 91, in the southbound lanes.

WTNH - O’Shea was from Stony Point, New York.

WHY:

WTNH - The crash involved a driver traveling north in the southbound lanes of Interstate 91.

HOW:

WTNH - O’Shea’s vehicle collided head-on with the wrong-way driver’s vehicle.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 02:15 UTC)

Ryan O’Shea, a University of New Haven student from Stony Point, New York, was killed in a head-on crash on Interstate 91. Police say the other driver was traveling north in the highway’s southbound lanes when the vehicles collided. O’Shea’s death has prompted an outpouring of support, with an online fundraiser raising more than $28,000 in his honor. The fundraiser says contributions to scholarship funds will help “his spirit continue to touch lives.” His sister, 18-year-old Katherine O’Shea, remembered Ryan as “a beautiful spirit” and said he “was so close to graduation.” Visitation and funeral services were scheduled to honor him. Ryan was studying at the University of New Haven before the crash, and the scholarship effort aims to carry forward his impact on others.

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(UPDATED October 22, 2026 01:23 UTC)

Ryan O’Shea, a University of New Haven student from Stony Point, New York, was killed in a head-on crash involving a wrong-way driver on Interstate 91. The collision happened in the highway’s southbound lanes, where the other driver was traveling north, against traffic. O’Shea’s vehicle struck the wrong-way driver’s vehicle head-on. His sister, Katherine O’Shea, who is 18, remembered him as “a beautiful spirit.” She also said her brother “was so close to graduation.” Visitation and funeral services were scheduled to honor Ryan O’Shea. He was a student at the University of New Haven and had been approaching graduation when his life was cut short in the crash. The collision left his family mourning a young man they described as kind and full of spirit.