Student killed in crash on I-395

Montville (WTNH) - Connecticut College is grieving the loss of a student who died on her way to help needy people in Africa. Police say a drunk driver hit the van she was riding in.

Connecticut College is rather empty now as the kids are on Spring Break. Already a memorial service is planned when the students get back, and Saturday, faculty and the student body are remembering a young woman who led by example.

On the campus of Connecticut College in New London, even though the kids have left for spring break, there still feels like there is something - or more importantly - someone - missing.

"I got back to campus from my house in New York," said freshman Shani Brown, "and when I got there, I checked my email, and my heart dropped; Instantly."

Hours after the collison occurred, part of I-395 was still shut down. The reason - around 3:45 Saturday morning, a passenger van, carrying eight Connecticut College students to Boston's Logan Airport, was hit head-on by a drunk driver going the wrong way. West Islip, N.Y. Junior Elizabeth Durante was thrown from the van and killed.

"For me, it's not only been a professional loss," said Dr. Jocelyn Briddell, dean of students, "but a personal loss as well."

The tragedy here is as blatant as daylight - but what makes this particular case even more heart-breaking is that Elizabeth and her fellow students were off to Uganda on a humantarian mission to dispense medical supplies and clothing.

"Elizabeth Durante was a leader in our community in terms of really wanting to make a difference," Dr. Briddell said. "To bring about change amongst not only her students, but I think people around the world."

In fact, in a statement released to the press in January about the trip, Elizabeth was excited about this second trip to make a difference. It reads, in part: "Sure, there were some tough, heart-wrenching moments that I wouldn't have had to deal with if I'd just gone to Cancun to party for a week, but a normal vacation doesn't really appeal to me. I'd rather do something useful and make some meaningful connections."

"Elizabeth was constantly trying to do good," Dr. Briddell said, "for the campus community."

A day that will not be forgotten for tragic reasons - an end to a life - one that will not be forgotten for a million reasons.

"Not only was she active, she was passionate about what she wanted to do," Dr. Briddell said.

Twenty-three-year-old Daniel Musser of Groton was charged with DUI, manslaughter, and driving the wrongway on the highway. News Channel 8 is told all but one of the students have been released from area hospitals.

It seems tragedy also has a sense of irony - Elizabeth was an advocate on campus for the fight against drunk driving.