A mother and 5-year-old son were killed, and a 3-year-old boy was seriously hurt when the family's car struck the front porch of a house in the Terryville section of Plymouth on Monday.
Melissa Odelius, 29, of Terryville, and her 5-year-old son, George, better known as "Patrick," lost their lives in the crash. Odelius' other son, Thomas, 3, was also in the car and is receiving treatment for serious injuries at Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
Police said Odelius' car crashed into a home at 130 South Main Street in Plymouth around 6:15 p.m. Monday, then flipped over in the driveway.
According to the fire chief, the impact of the crash caused heavy damage to the home, which was empty at the time. The car landed on its side in the driveway.
Odelius and her two young sons were trapped in the car. Officers and bystanders worked together to free Patrick and Thomas while firefighters cut off the roof of the car to extricate the mother, who was behind the wheel, according to police.
Odelius was pronounced dead at the scene.
Patrick was taken by LifeStar to Hartford Hospital, where he died, hospital officials told police.
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Odelius' younger son, Thomas, was taken to Waterbury Hospital, then transferred to Connecticut Children's. He is listed in serious but stable condition, police said Tuesday.
Odelius worked at Premier Property Management Services, LLC, which is based in Enfield.
"We at Premier Property Management Services are heartbroken after learning that our own Melissa Odelius and her baby son passed away suddenly this morning," Premier Property posted on its Facebook page. "Melissa was a wonderful co-worker and a great friend, and she will be missed by all of us here at Premier. Our hearts and prayers go out to Melissa's family on this sad day."
Plymouth police spokesman Sgt. Randy Foster said counseling services are available to first responders who witnessed the scene and are "shaken up."
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash. Neighbors said speeding is a problem on the road, which police described as winding and well traveled.
A resident who was mowing his lawn said Odelius appeared to be driving fast.
Plymouth police ask anyone with information to call Det. Sgt. James Dubowsky at the department at 860-589-7779.
