Lauren Souza, a 16-year-old junior at Trinity High School in Manchester, was killed in a single-car crash at 12:30 a.m. on April 20. Courtesy photo

BEDFORD – Lauren Souza, a 16-year-old junior at Trinity High School, was killed in a single-vehicle crash while driving home in the early-morning hours of April 20.

According to the Bedford Police Department, the crash occurred at 12:30 a.m. just south of the intersection of Back River and County roads.

The preliminary investigation suggests that Souza struck a utility pole and a small tree. The impact then caused the vehicle to roll over into the parking lot of Peter Woodbury Elementary School.

Souza was the only one in the vehicle at the time and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“With profound sadness, we share the news of the tragic passing of junior Lauren Souza, who was involved in a fatal, single-person motor vehicle accident,” said Trinity President Nathan Stanton. “We offer our prayers for Lauren and the Souza family as they deal with this unimaginable loss.”

Souza played volleyball for Trinity and was a member of the school’s 40A Robotics team. Stanton said she was at the top of her class and was recently elected vice president of the National Honor Society for the 2025-2026 school year.

Trinity remained closed on April 21. The school opened late and closed early on April 22. Counseling services and therapy dogs were also made available.

Additional information has not been released as the investigation remains ongoing.