On the night of Saturday, December 13, 2025, a deadly wrong-way accident took place on Route 5/15 in Wethersfield, Connecticut. The crash claimed the life of 30‑year‑old Manchester resident Wendy Lara. She was operating a 2017 Toyota Camry in the northbound direction while traveling in the southbound lanes near Exit 85. The collision occurred at approximately 11:56 p.m., causing significant disruption to traffic along the busy roadway.
Lara’s vehicle struck a 2025 Honda Prologue Tour SUV head-on. The SUV was moving southbound and driven by a 46‑year‑old woman from Rocky Hill, accompanied by a 48‑year‑old male passenger, also from Rocky Hill. The force of the crash left both vehicles heavily damaged. Emergency crews responded promptly to the scene just north of Exit 85.
Lara sustained critical injuries in the collision and was rushed to Hartford Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. The occupants of the Honda were reported to have suffered minor injuries and were transported to the hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
The Connecticut State Police have launched an investigation into the factors that led to Lara driving the wrong way. At present, officials have not disclosed whether impairment, distraction, or other causes played a role. Authorities are requesting that anyone with relevant information contact Troop H at 860‑534‑1000.
Public records confirm that Wendy Lara lived on Knighton Street in Manchester and was 30 years old at the time of her death. Beyond her age and residence, no verified information has been released regarding her education, career, family background, personal interests, or lifestyle.
This tragedy underscores ongoing concerns about wrong-way crashes in Connecticut. Although the investigation remains active, Route 5/15—also referred to as the Berlin Turnpike in certain stretches—was only temporarily impacted, with traffic flow restored once authorities completed their work at the scene.
