WEST WARWICK, RI — Communities across Connecticut and Rhode Island are united in grief after a violent crash on Interstate 95 claimed the lives of 19-year-old Ayanna Voyak of Hartford and 19-year-old Aisha Jules of New London late Saturday night. The Rhode Island State Police confirmed the deaths on Sunday, describing the wreck as one of the most heartbreaking tragedies the region has faced in recent months.
Authorities say the crash occurred when the vehicle carrying six people veered off the roadway in West Warwick and slammed into a wooded area along the interstate. The impact was catastrophic. Ayanna and Aisha died at the scene, while four others sustained serious injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
The sudden loss of the two young women has sent shockwaves through their hometowns and well beyond, leaving families, friends, and entire communities grappling with immense sorrow.
Young Lives Full of Promise
Ayanna Voyak, a Hartford native, is remembered as a bright, compassionate young woman whose kindness and warmth made a lasting impression on everyone she met. Family members say her smile brought comfort and joy, and her generosity extended effortlessly to friends, classmates, and anyone fortunate enough to know her. Ayanna approached life with determination and heart—setting goals, dreaming big, and supporting those she loved with unwavering loyalty.
Aisha Jules, of New London, is being mourned as a vibrant, spirited young woman who lived with courage and authenticity. Friends describe her as someone who loved deeply, laughed freely, and embraced every day with energy and optimism. She was driven by big dreams and the desire to shape a meaningful future—dreams she pursued with passion, curiosity, and resilience.
At just 19, Ayanna and Aisha were in the early chapters of adulthood, navigating new opportunities and discovering who they hoped to become. Their futures were wide open, filled with possibility and hope. Losing two lives with so much ahead of them is a heartbreak felt across two states.
Communities Gathering in Sorrow
News of the crash has cast a long shadow over neighborhoods, schools, and social circles in both Connecticut and Rhode Island. Loved ones, teachers, mentors, and peers describe feeling stunned by the suddenness of the loss—a tragedy that unfolded without warning and forever changed the lives of many.
Candlelight vigils and community gatherings have been organized as people search for comfort in one another. Online tributes continue to pour in, with friends sharing memories of Ayanna’s kindness and Aisha’s bold, joyful spirit. Many say the two young women brought light wherever they went—and that their absence is immeasurable.
The investigation into what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway remains ongoing. The Rhode Island State Police have not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the crash or the conditions of the surviving passengers.
As families prepare to navigate unimaginable grief, communities across Connecticut and Rhode Island stand beside them—honoring Ayanna and Aisha’s lives, mourning their loss, and holding tight to the memories of two young women who touched countless hearts in their short but meaningful time on earth.