On the morning of February 8, 2024, a tragic crash occurred near Exit 61 in Manchester, resulting in the death of 25-year-old Mirelly Vega. According to Connecticut State Police, Jason Ivers, 25, was driving a 2016 Nissan Juke westbound at high speed when he collided with a 2015 Hyundai Genesis.
Vega, a front-seat passenger in the Nissan, sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at Hartford Hospital. Ivers, who only had a learner’s permit, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Saint Francis Hospital for treatment. Multiple witnesses reported that Ivers had been speeding and weaving through traffic before the crash.
The driver of the Hyundai, a South Windsor resident, was not injured and declined medical treatment. Investigators determined that Ivers had consumed alcohol before the crash and found an empty vodka bottle inside his vehicle. Toxicology results revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.131%, well above the legal limit of 0.08%.
During questioning, Ivers admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana earlier but denied any impairment at the time of the crash. He was charged with manslaughter with a motor vehicle, DUI, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and driving without a valid license. It was also noted that Vega was not wearing a seatbelt, which may have contributed to the severity of her injuries.
Ivers is set to appear in Manchester Superior Court later this month.
