By
The Associated Press
Five Connecticut juveniles, ranging in age from 8 to 17, were killed in a vehicular crash Sunday morning on a New York highway, police said.
Police believe the vehicle was being driven by a 16-year-old boy when it veered off Hutchinson River Parkway in Scarsdale, crashed into a tree and caught fire.
A 9-year-old boy was the sole survivor of the six crew members in the Nissan Rouge pickup, according to a statement provided by Kieran O'Leary, a spokesman for the Westchester County Police Department.
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The 9-year-old boy “apparently was riding in the rear or cargo area and escaped out the back,” the statement said.
The minor received medical attention at a hospital, but had no life-threatening injuries.
Four of the five deceased minors were boys and the other victim was a girl.
Their identities have not yet been revealed.
Police added that they are all from Connecticut.
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Matt Conway, superintendent of schools in Derby, Connecticut, said he learned the children were part of a family that had just moved from New York to New Haven County, but had not yet enrolled in school.
Conway said he reached out to the boys' father Sunday and offered to provide him with information about supports available in the community for him and his family.
She planned to speak to the man again on Monday.
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“It is unimaginable.
Having to arrange for five of your children now to be buried, that's a very difficult thing for anyone — not just one of them, but having to arrange for all five of them,” Conway said.
Police said the vehicle crashed at around 12:20 a.m. local time and are investigating the causes.
Derby is approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of Scarsdale.