Crime & Safety

Local Teen Dies in Weekend Crash

Funeral arrangements have been announced.

Updated June 28, 4 p.m.

Arrangements have been made for Salter's to run shuttle buses between Simsbury High School and St. Catherine of Siena Church on Friday, July 1, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The service for Tommy Tanski begins at 11 a.m. with a reception following at the church.

Please park in the west parking lot of Simsbury High School which is located between the school building and the football field.

Find out what's happening in Simsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Updated 4:50 p.m.

Arrangements for Tommy Tanski. Calling Hours: Wednesday (June, 29) and Thursday (June, 30) at the Vincent Funeral Home in Simsbury from 4 to 8:00 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Simsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial: Friday (July, 1), 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Simsbury.

Tommy’s Book of Memories is posted on the Vincent Funeral Home website, www.vincentfuneralhome.com. His obituary should appear in the Wednesday edition of the Hartford Courant.

Updated 12 p.m.

Tommy Tanski, 17, was killed when the 1999 Nissan Sentra he was riding in struck a telephone pole near Old Meadow Plain Road and Oak Glen Court East about 1 a.m. on Sunday.

He leaves behind his parents Tom, Sr. and Christine, as well as two siblings — Jack, who is in ninth grade and Faith, who is in fifth grade.

The three others in the car included driver Austin Buckmann, 18, Zachary Fons, 18 and Tory Munson, 17. All three young men are from Simsbury.

The three were injured but are expected to recover. Lt. Frederick Sifodaskalakis said two are out of the hospital, including the driver.

Police continue to investigate the one-car collision, he said. The regional accident team is also investigating.

Friends have posted a hand-painted sign outside the high school that says, "Rest in Peace Tommy — Forever Loved." Tanski would have been a senior at Simsbury High School in the fall.

Tanski was in the rear passenger seat that suffered the most damage when the car hit the telephone pole. Lt. Sifodaskalakis said all the teens were wearing their seatbelts.

“Our whole school community is shocked and saddened by Tommy’s death,” said Superintendent of Schools Diane Ullman. “Tommy will be dearly missed by all who knew him; he was a free spirited and bright young man known for his smile and for being good to his classmates.”

Dr. Ullman, along with other administrators, sent out a note to parents and guardians. For any students having difficulty coping with this tragedy, counselors will be available at Simsbury High School on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The administration will also forward details about the services once arrangements have been finalized.


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