Police Identify Driver in Thursday Night's Fatal Crash

UPDATE: Police identified the driver in Thursday night's fatal accident as Frederick G. Schalich, 27 years old, Wells Road, in Monroe.

Original Story:

A 27-year-old Monroe man died from his injuries sustained in a two-car crash in the 400-block of Monroe Turnpike at 11:59 Thursday night.  

Officers arriving at the scene found a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria on its side, engulfed in flames, according to police, who said all three town fire companies were also dispatched, but firefighters were unable to extricate the driver from the wreckage.

Kevin Catalano, the Monroe Fire Department spokesman, said a few of the first police officers to arrive on the scene used fire extinguishers, but the fire was too intense. That intensity also prevented the extrication, he added.

A 21-year-old Stratford man driving the second vehicle, a 2009 Dodge 
Charger, was treated for minor injuries on scene and released, police said.

Names have not been released pending notification of families. The Serious Accident Investigation Team is investigating the cause of the collision.