CT man crashes car stolen at Kenny Chesney concert in Massachusetts, killing child

A Connecticut man was arrested Saturday and charged with DUI for allegedly stealing a car during a Kenny Chesney concert in Massachusetts before smashing into a car with a family of six inside.

Michael Escolas, 42, of Oxford was allegedly speeding on Route 1 South when he struck the rear of a Nissan Altima stopped at a red light at the Interstate 495 intersection in Plainville, Massachusetts, around 8:30 p.m., according to Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Gregory Jones.

Jones said Escolas had allegedly stolen a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee from the parking lot of Gillette Stadium during the Kenny Chesney concert. Troopers working at the concert responded to the scene of the crash and found that all six family members inside the Nissan suffered serious injuries.

According to Jones, the family members, which included a mother and father and their four children, were taken to area hospitals. One of the children, a 10-year-old, was pronounced dead at the hospital, Jones said.

A total of five cars were damaged during the crash.

Escolas was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence, according to Jones. He was taken to an area hospital with injuries and was held in police custody.

Route 1 South was closed in the area of the crash while emergency crews were at the scene, as well as the I-495 entrance ramps in both directions for Route 1. The area reopened shortly before midnight.

The Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services Section and Norfolk County Detective Unit responded to the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the detective unit.

“We offer our condolences to the family for the loss of their child,” Jones said in a statement. “Due to the child’s age and out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we will not be releasing their identity.”