STRATFORD, Conn. — In the predawn hours of Saturday, tragedy struck the Stratford community when a car carrying five young people veered off Nichols Avenue and slammed into a tree. Among those in the vehicle was Ryan Julian, a recent 2025 graduate of Bunnell High School and beloved member of its football program. He was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind shock, grief, and many questions.
Police say the crash occurred at about 3:35 a.m. in the 1100 block of Nichols Avenue. The vehicle — with five occupants aged between 16 and 24, hailing from Stratford and Bridgeport — lost control and hit the tree. Of the others aboard, three suffered minor injuries; one person was transported to hospital in critical condition. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet released the identities of the surviving occupants.
Stratford Public Schools reacted swiftly, voicing deep sorrow over the loss of one of its own. Acting Superintendent Heather M. Borges acknowledged Ryan’s role both as a student and as part of the school’s football culture. She stated the community is extending support — including counseling services — to students, staff, and families affected by this sudden grief.
On social media, the Bunnell Varsity Football team posted a tribute that struck a chord across Stratford and beyond. They remembered Ryan as someone who carried himself with dedication and positivity, highlighting the growth he achieved in and out of sports. In their words: “Ryan will be remembered for his spirit, dedication, and the positive growth he made during his high school career… Rest in peace, Ryan. You will always be a part of the Bulldog family.”
For many, Ryan was more than an athlete — he was a friend, a classmate, a voice of encouragement. The shock of losing someone so young, just on the cusp of what should have been a promising future, has rippled through the tight-knit neighborhoods of Stratford and Bridgeport alike. His absence is felt not only in football circles but in school hallways and among peers who saw in him not just a teammate, but someone who cared.
Although full details of how the crash unfolded are yet to emerge, authorities are probing all possibilities: speed, mechanical failure, road conditions, driver reaction. Stratford Police Captain Robert Burroughs has indicated that further information will be released as the investigation progresses.
As Stratford grapples with loss, the school, the football team, and the community look to rally around Ryan’s family. In the days to come, memorials, messages, and echoes of his memory will help frame the legacy of a young life taken too soon — but one that touched many.
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