Four Dead After High-Speed Crash Into Waterbury Market Causes Building Collapse; Cherry Street Closed Amid Investigation

WATERBURY, CT — April 24, 2025

In a devastating overnight crash in Waterbury, four people lost their lives early Thursday morning after a vehicle slammed into a market on Cherry Street, triggering a partial building collapse and leaving a community in shock.

Tragic Overnight Crash

Authorities say the incident occurred at approximately 12:47 a.m. on April 24, near the intersection of Cherry Street and Maple Avenue. A car, believed to be traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control and rolled over before crashing into the front of Hernandez Market, a small neighborhood store that now bears the scars of the tragedy.

According to Waterbury police, there were four people inside the vehicle. Three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, while the fourth was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. The identities of the victims have not yet been released pending family notification.

Miraculously, no one was inside the market at the time of the crash. The front portion of the store collapsed from the impact, partially burying the vehicle beneath debris and leaving a gaping hole in the façade of the building.

Area Shut Down, Emergency Response Continues

Cherry Street has been closed from East Main Street to Walnut Street while investigators assess the scene and determine the circumstances that led to the fatal collision. Police, fire crews, and structural engineers responded to the scene immediately after the crash and worked throughout the early hours to secure the building and recover the victims.

Officials say that the vehicle appeared to have rolled over multiple times before striking the market. The exact cause of the crash is under investigation, but speed and loss of control are believed to be contributing factors.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life,” said a spokesperson from the Waterbury Police Department. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims during this incredibly difficult time. The investigation is ongoing, and we are working diligently to determine how this occurred.”

Community in Mourning

Residents of the neighborhood awoke Thursday morning to flashing lights and a heavily damaged local business. Many stood in stunned silence as emergency crews worked, while others shared stories about how the market had long served the local community.

“This store has been a staple in our neighborhood for years,” said one local resident. “It’s heartbreaking to see it like this. But the loss of four young lives is even harder to bear.”

The building has been deemed structurally compromised, and engineers are evaluating the extent of the damage. It remains unclear whether the market will be able to reopen in the near future.

Safety and Road Conditions Scrutinized

The crash has reignited concerns about speed and road safety in the area, particularly along Cherry Street, which residents say has seen numerous accidents in recent years.

“I’ve seen cars flying down this road late at night like it’s a racetrack,” another neighbor said. “Something needs to be done before more people die.”

City officials have indicated that a broader safety review of the corridor may be warranted following this incident.

Ongoing Investigation

The Waterbury Police Department is continuing its investigation into the crash. Authorities are seeking any surveillance footage or eyewitness accounts that may help reconstruct what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.

Cherry Street remains closed as of Thursday afternoon, and police have not provided a timeline for its reopening. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

As more details become available, the city and the families of those lost will continue to grapple with the impact of this sudden and devastating event.

Anyone with information related to the crash is encouraged to contact the Waterbury Police Department.

In a devastating overnight crash in Waterbury, four people lost their lives early Thursday morning after a vehicle slammed into a market on Cherry Street, triggering a partial building collapse and leaving a community in shock.

Tragic Overnight Crash

Authorities say the incident occurred at approximately 12:47 a.m. on April 24, near the intersection of Cherry Street and Maple Avenue. A car, believed to be traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control and rolled over before crashing into the front of Hernandez Market, a small neighborhood store that now bears the scars of the tragedy.

According to Waterbury police, there were four people inside the vehicle. Three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, while the fourth was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. The identities of the victims have not yet been released pending family notification.

Miraculously, no one was inside the market at the time of the crash. The front portion of the store collapsed from the impact, partially burying the vehicle beneath debris and leaving a gaping hole in the façade of the building.

Area Shut Down, Emergency Response Continues

Cherry Street has been closed from East Main Street to Walnut Street while investigators assess the scene and determine the circumstances that led to the fatal collision. Police, fire crews, and structural engineers responded to the scene immediately after the crash and worked throughout the early hours to secure the building and recover the victims.

Officials say that the vehicle appeared to have rolled over multiple times before striking the market. The exact cause of the crash is under investigation, but speed and loss of control are believed to be contributing factors.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life,” said a spokesperson from the Waterbury Police Department. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims during this incredibly difficult time. The investigation is ongoing, and we are working diligently to determine how this occurred.”

Community in Mourning

Residents of the neighborhood awoke Thursday morning to flashing lights and a heavily damaged local business. Many stood in stunned silence as emergency crews worked, while others shared stories about how the market had long served the local community.

“This store has been a staple in our neighborhood for years,” said one local resident. “It’s heartbreaking to see it like this. But the loss of four young lives is even harder to bear.”

The building has been deemed structurally compromised, and engineers are evaluating the extent of the damage. It remains unclear whether the market will be able to reopen in the near future.

Safety and Road Conditions Scrutinized

The crash has reignited concerns about speed and road safety in the area, particularly along Cherry Street, which residents say has seen numerous accidents in recent years.

“I’ve seen cars flying down this road late at night like it’s a racetrack,” another neighbor said. “Something needs to be done before more people die.”

City officials have indicated that a broader safety review of the corridor may be warranted following this incident.

Ongoing Investigation

The Waterbury Police Department is continuing its investigation into the crash. Authorities are seeking any surveillance footage or eyewitness accounts that may help reconstruct what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.

Cherry Street remains closed as of Thursday afternoon, and police have not provided a timeline for its reopening. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

As more details become available, the city and the families of those lost will continue to grapple with the impact of this sudden and devastating event.

Anyone with information related to the crash is encouraged to contact the Waterbury Police Department.