Destiny Ellis dies in fatal New Haven stolen car crash

Destiny Ellis dies in fatal New Haven stolen car crash

Fatal New Haven stolen car crash death of Destiny Ellis – Obituary

Destiny Ellis, 16, has been confirmed as the teenage passenger who died last weekend when a stolen vehicle she was riding in crashed into a tree on Whalley Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. The incident occurred after the car, driven by 13-year-old Marshall Curry, left the road, struck synagogue property at 85 Harrison Street, and collided with a tree before ending up in the northbound lane of traffic.

State authorities say the crash followed a brief police chase triggered when the Hyundai Elantra Curry was driving nearly hit a patrol vehicle. It remains unclear whether officers had ended the pursuit before the collision. Curry, a student at Wexler-Grant Community School, was also killed in the crash.

Destiny Ellis had been living in a home operated by a nonprofit supported by Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). DCF interim commissioner Susan I. Hamilton said the agency is coordinating support for those affected by her death, extending condolences to family, friends, and staff who had worked closely with her.

Acting New Haven Police Chief David Zannelli noted that the chase was prompted by the driver swerving at officers, not simply because the vehicle was stolen. Connecticut police pursuit policy restricts chases to situations where there is reasonable suspicion of violent crime or use of force, barring property crimes like vehicle theft unless extraordinary circumstances exist.

Connecticut State Police are leading the investigation, with oversight from the state’s attorney’s office, following New Haven Police Department involvement.