Immaculate High School, the town of Brookfield and the entire community is in mourning after losing a bright young light, killed in a tragic car accident. The 17-year-old Brookfield native, Rebecca Draper Townsend, volunteered with a non-profit called She's the First that helps young girls go to college, but now won't be able to attend herself as her life was cut short just as Danbury's fireworks were starting Thursday night.

According to Danbury police, a call came in about a tan Hyundai Elantra traveling west on Lake Avenue at around 9:24 p.m. The car was driven by Krista Consalva, 23, of Brookfield, who reportedly struck two 17-year-old pedestrians crossing Lake Avenue Extension from the Stop and Shop parking lot. The teens were heading towards Stanziato's Wood Fired Pizza just as the Danbury Fair Mall fireworks were beginning. The second teen and fellow IHS classmate, Benjamin Arne, 17 of New Fairfield, is being treated at Danbury Hospital for his injuries and is now in critical, but stable condition.

Rebecca Draper Townsend was pronounced deceased shortly after being transported to the hospital, police said. Both teens recently graduated from Immaculate High School in Danbury. The school is holding a vigil Friday evening to mourn the loss of Rebecca and pray for Ben. Principal Joe Carmen sent the following letter to the Immaculate community:

"Dear Immaculate Family members, It is with the deepest regret that I write to you today. Recent graduate, Rebecca Townsend, IHS '15, was tragically killed Thursday evening. Benjamin Arne, IHS '15 was also injured in the accident which occurred following the Danbury fireworks. He is currently recovering at Danbury Hospital.



The school and chapel have been open today and will remain so with a vigil service planned for this evening from 6pm - 8pm in the chapel. Visitors should park and enter through the back entrance. Counseling support will be available tonight. Fr. Jeffrey Couture, along with counseling support will be in the IHS chapel again from 10 am - 1 pm tomorrow (Saturday, July 4th) for those wishing to gather as a spiritual community and pray. Fr. Couture is available this weekend to help people struggling with this tragedy and can be reached at 203.826.6330.



We continue to coordinate services to support our community in conjunction with St. Joseph's Parish, Brookfield. Arrangements are not yet finalized but the wake is anticipated to be on Monday with the funeral Mass on Tuesday. Catholic Charities will have grief counselors on hand at the wake on Monday to support those in need. I will update you as more specific information becomes available. You may contact me with any questions you may have atjcarmen@myimmaculatehs.org. Please continue to pray for all involved.

Joe Carmen

Principal

Immaculate High School" Carmen also released a statement to WFSB News in which he said, "Rebecca was the kind of child every parent hopes their own becomes and the type of student that every Principal is proud to have as part of their school."