Tragic Accident Claims Life of University of New Haven Hockey Captain
A 21-year-old hockey captain from the University of New Haven lost his life in a tragic wrong-way collision involving a Mexican national who had repeatedly entered the United States illegally. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the details to Fox News Digital.
Ryan O’Shea, a senior and aspiring police officer, was driving south on Interstate 91 in North Haven when a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 31-year-old Guillermo Carmona-Lopez of Bridgeport and traveling the wrong way, collided head-on with his Honda Accord. According to Connecticut State Police, the impact was devastating.
The crash caused O’Shea’s vehicle to spin into another lane, where it was then struck by a Jeep before careening onto the shoulder, where it was hit by a third car. Unfortunately, O’Shea sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Carmona-Lopez was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital with serious injuries, while three other individuals suffered minor injuries.
DHS shared that Carmona-Lopez had entered the United States illegally multiple times, despite having been previously removed and receiving a final order for removal. A spokesperson detailed that he was arrested by Border Patrol in May 2013 for entering the country unlawfully, which led to his expedited removal.
Later that same month, Carmona-Lopez reentered the U.S. near the Rio Grande Valley and was again apprehended by Border Patrol. The spokesperson stated he received a final removal order on May 30, 2013, yet he later reentered the country at an unknown time.
O’Shea, originally from Stony Point, New York, was pursuing a degree in criminal justice with a focus on police science and was a senior captain of the men’s club hockey team. He had interned with the New York City Police Department over the summer and had aspirations to join the NYPD after graduation, eventually aiming for a career with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
In a tribute from his academic advisor, Lorenzo Boyd, he noted that O’Shea’s intent was always to serve the public and help others, remarking on his engaging presence in the classroom. Devin Bertrand, general manager of the men’s ice hockey club, fondly remembered him for bringing an infectious energy to the locker room.
Tragically, O’Shea was returning from a hockey game when the accident occurred. His fraternity, Kappa Sigma, also shared sentiments about his leadership and friendship, emphasizing his ability to light up a room with laughter and joy.
The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad has taken charge of the investigation, which is still ongoing. A DHS spokesperson underscored that under the previous administration, law enforcement would hold accountable those who break the law, stating that criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.
