A quiet Stratford neighborhood awoke to tragedy early Saturday morning after a violent crash on Nichols Avenue claimed the life of **Ryan Julian**, a recent **Bunnell High School graduate** whose future had looked bright and full of promise. Police say the crash happened around **3:35 a.m.**, when a car carrying
five young people — ages **16 to 24** from **Stratford and Bridgeport** — veered off the road and struck a tree with devastating force.Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but despite their efforts, **Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene**. Three others in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and were treated at nearby hospitals, while one passenger remains in critical condition.
Investigators from the Stratford Police Traffic Division spent the morning documenting the scene, marking debris, and examining skid marks in an effort to determine what caused the car to lose control.Ryan Julian, who graduated from **Bunnell High School in 2025**, was known among classmates and teachers as a standout athlete and a dependable teammate.
He played football for the Bulldogs, where his leadership and work ethic made him a favorite both on and off the field. Friends say he had recently been planning his next steps — possibly college or trade school — and was excited about the future that now will never come.The Stratford community has been left in mourning, with candles and flowers already appearing near the crash site.
Bunnell High officials expressed heartbreak at the news, offering counseling for students struggling to process the loss. Police have not yet released details about who was driving or whether speed or impairment were factors. For now, the focus remains on honoring a young life taken far too soon and supporting those who loved Ryan through an unimaginable loss.
