UConn Student and Track Athlete Dies After Fatal Crash
A University of Connecticut senior and track standout was killed early Wednesday when his SUV crashed into a tree in Mansfield.
Zachary Barry, 22, a senior at the University of Connecticut and a member of the men's track and field team, died after his SUV crashed into a utility pole and tree in Mansfield early Wednesday. The incident occurred just after midnight on Huntington Lodge Road, according to Connecticut State Police.
Barry was driving a 2016 Volvo XC60 westbound when the vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic before striking the pole and tree. First responders extricated Barry from the severely damaged vehicle. He was airlifted to Hartford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:43 a.m.
A crash detection alert from a mobile device reportedly notified authorities of the accident.
Barry, originally from Scarborough, Maine, enrolled at UConn in 2022. He was majoring in plant science with a concentration in turfgrass management. He competed on the track and field team from 2022 to 2024 and was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. This past summer, Barry completed an internship at Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey, focusing on course conditioning and turf health management.
University officials expressed condolences to Barry's family and friends. Students and staff seeking support can contact UConn's Student Health & Wellness Mental Health Services at 860-486-4700.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact Trooper Kyle Tiersch at 860-896-3200 or via email at [email protected].