By Crash News Writer 
Colchester, CT (July 15, 2025) – A devastating three-car crash in Colchester on Sunday claimed two lives and left four others injured, including a pregnant woman who had to be airlifted for urgent medical care. Connecticut State Police Troop K confirmed that the fatal collision happened on Middletown Road (Route 16) near Cato Corner Road around 4:15 p.m. on July 13.
According to reports, investigators learned that a 2018 Hyundai Elantra Sport traveling westbound rear-ended a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, forcing it off the right shoulder where it rolled over. The Hyundai then crossed into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with a 2014 Toyota RAV4 XLE. The Toyota also rolled off the right shoulder after the impact.
State police identified the victims who died as 28-year-old Jennifer Leinbach of Norwich, the driver of the Toyota, and 27-year-old Carlos Bauer of Colchester, the driver of the Hyundai. Two passengers, including a pregnant woman in the Toyota and a passenger in the Hyundai, were seriously hurt and rushed to nearby hospitals — the pregnant woman was flown by LIFE STAR for treatment. The Subaru’s driver and passenger suffered minor injuries.
Barbara Brancifort, a nearby resident, described hearing the sounds of a vehicle speeding uphill moments before the collision and the heartbreaking “bang, bang, bang” that followed. Police closed the stretch of Middletown Road between Standish Road and Davidson Road for hours while they investigated the crash site.
The Connecticut State Police continue to investigate what led to this tragic chain of events.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
The information in this article is based on initial reports from local authorities and may be subject to updates as investigations continue.
- The identities of those involved in the incident have not been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin.
- Further details about the accident, including toxicology results and potential charges, will be shared as they become available.
- Road closures and traffic updates related to the accident scene can be found by checking with local authorities or traffic monitoring services.
The content of this news story is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. All information is based on public reports at the time of publication, and details may change as investigations progress. Readers are encouraged to seek legal counsel if they or someone they know have been involved in a similar incident. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this article. Learn more with our disclaimer.