Obituaries

16-Year-Old Ludlowe Student Killed In Rhode Island Crash

The Southport teen was a good student who played on the football and lacrosse teams, according to the school headmaster.

Jake Panus died Sunday in Rhode Island.
Jake Panus died Sunday in Rhode Island. (Shutterstock)

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Fairfield Ludlowe High School student was killed over the weekend in a Rhode Island crash.

Jake Panus, of Southport, was declared dead at the scene of the crash, which happened about 12:30 p.m. Sunday on Block Island, according to Rhode Island State Police.

“We know that this event will have an indelible impact on the FLHS community and that many Fairfield families are connected to Jake or one of the other FLHS students who were also present at the time of the accident,” Ludlowe headmaster Greg Hatzis said in a message to the school community.

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Panus, who was 16 and a junior, split his school day between Ludlowe and the Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture School, according to Hatzis, who said Panus was a good student and played on the football and lacrosse teams. Ludlowe's Falcon Sports Network shared condolences Monday in a tweet.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Jake's family and friends, and the entire Falcon Football Community," the tweet said.

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Everyone in the vehicle at the time of the crash was a juvenile, according to Capt. Matthew Moynihan. In addition to Panus, another boy was seriously injured and flown by helicopter to a hospital, state police said. The driver, a girl, was charged with driving under the influence of liquor or drugs resulting in death, driving under the influence resulting in serious injury, driving to endanger resulting in death and driving to endanger resulting in serious injury, according to state police. She is set to appear Tuesday in Rhode Island family court.

Ludlowe this week will offer in-person group sessions and Google Meet clinician sessions for students to help them process the crash. In-person sessions will be socially distanced and capped at 14 students, and all attendees must wear masks.


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