18-year-old Rhode Island teen killed in multi-vehicle crash remembered as survivor, leader who overcame challenges

A Rhode Island teen killed in a collision is being remembered.

According to State Police, on Friday, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Troop G dispatch received 911 calls of a motor vehicle collision with injuries on Route 25 South, north of exit 9, in the Town of Trumbull, Connecticut.

Preliminary investigation revealed an X1 BMW was traveling south on Route 25 in an unknown lane. An X5 BMW approached the X1 BMW from the rear. The X5 BMW maneuvered to the right, sideswiping the passenger side rear of the X1 BMW. The X5 BMW spun out of control, entered the median and commenced into a roll over event striking multiple trees.

As a result, a back seat passenger of the X5 BMW, 18-year-old Timothy Campbell of Cumberland, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.

The driver and two passengers inside of the X5 BMW were transported to local hospitals for
non-life-threatening injuries.

Trumbull Fire Department, Police Department and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene to assist with medical care and traffic control.

Route 25 South was closed for several hours as the investigation commenced.

April Seppala, Tim Campbell’s former Principal at West Bay Collaborative and later his boss, penned a touching tribute in a GoFundMe fundraiser.

“He was a student and child who overcame so many obstacles and challenges that life provided him. He was the definition of a survivor and a leader. He grew up with us at WBC from his middle school years through high school and in June 2024 graduated with his HS Diploma. He matured and grew so much as a student and young man that we hired him in August of 2024 to be a teacher assistant with our primary school students. For two weeks he started to make a difference in our students lives serving as a role model for a 5th/6th grade classroom. The kids loved him, the staff loved him, and his grandmother, mother, girlfriend and family were so proud of him. This tragedy has devastated his family, friends, former students, former co-workers and more.”

If anyone witnessed this collision or has dash camera video, please contact Troop G at (203) 696-2500.