Christmas tragedy: Teen driver crashes, cousin killed

East Hampton, Conn. (WTNH) - Police say a 15-year-old was driving a car that crashed into a tree, killing the teen's 11-year-old cousin.

East Hampton police say an 11-year-old local boy was in the front passenger seat in a car driven by his 15-year-old cousin from New Britain.

The teen was out driving around 8 p.m. on Christmas day when he lost control. Skid marks left on the street show its path as it slammed into a tree on Wopowog Road.

"It's horrible. It's a terrible thing to deal with on Christmas," said neighbor Dennis Shugrue.

Police cited speed and inexperience as contributing factors in the crash.

A neighbor who lives across the street from where the accident happened said a deer may have run across the road, causing the teen to swerve the car.

She says the 15-year-old who was driving his mother's car was extremely upset because he knew his cousin had died.

The 11-year-old's parents arrived at the scene Sunday night from their nearby home and were extremely distraught.

The accident happened just down the road from where a 16-year-old East Hampton teen lost his life in another tragic accident. Shugrue says a teen was behind the wheel in that crash as well.

"If you don't know where you're going, it's not a well lit road. I mean it's a country road," Shugrue said.

The 11-year-old died at the scene, while his cousin was taken to Hartford Hospital by  Lifestar Helicopter. He is in stable condition.  

Officers said they will not release the names of either the boy killed, or his cousin who was driving.