Connecticut investigators announced Tuesday that a woman purposely drove her SUV into a river with her special needs son inside, killing them both.
The Monroe Sun reports that according to Seymour Deputy Police Chief Roberto N. Rinaldi, 54-year-old Connie Crowell is accused of driving into the Housatonic River in July 2020, with her 22-year-old disabled son, John “Jack” Crowell, inside the vehicle with her.
Rinaldi said Crowell refused to accept help from a boater who saw the SUV as it plunged into the water. The boater tried several times to help, according to police, but Connie declined.
“After a lengthy investigation by the Seymour Police Detective Division, this incident has been determined (a) homicide/suicide,” Rinaldi said.
“On the day of the incident, a boater who was in the area, observed the vehicle go into the water and went to assist and provide rescue efforts. However, Connie Crowell refused to acknowledge or accept the boater’s assistance and rescue efforts.”
On the day of the incident, Crowell drove her SUV down a long driveway near the Lake Ousatonic section of the Housatonic River, at 175 Roosevelt Drive. The vehicle ended up “floating upside down about 75 yards from the river bank,” according to FOX 61.
Despite massive rescue efforts, the pair drowned before they could be saved.
Connie Crowell was reportedly popular in her community and spent time volunteering with Alcohol and Drug Awareness of Monroe (ADAM). Her son Jake participated in Unified Sports and town events.
“Everybody loved Jack, I’m sure at all the schools, but especially at Masuk,” Superintendent of Schools Joseph Kobza told the Monroe Sun. “He was always happy, always smiling. He just brightened up everyone’s days.”
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[Feature Photo: Connie and Jake Crowell/Facebook]
