Speed and size can be a dangerous combination for motorists in Connecticut. A passenger vehicle may have little protection against a semi-trailer, particularly a truck that is not driving at the speed appropriate for conditions. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported 14 fatalities involving large trucks in 2012 in Connecticut while speeding accounted for 39 deaths that year.
These dangers were vividly demonstrated in a recent accident on May 2. Connecticut State Police reported that a truck driver did not slow down and crashed into traffic that was stalled because of another crash on Interstate 395 in Norwich.
A 62-year-old Windham truck driver was driving south in a tanker truck at 4:15 pm. Shortly before Exit 83 in Taftville, an earlier traffic crash resulted in slow moving traffic. The truck slammed into the rear of a Chevrolet Colorado, in this traffic, and totally demolished it. This is also set off a chain reaction collision with three other vehicles.
A Subaru Impreza driven by a motorist from Salem was also totaled. A Chevrolet G3500 from Mystic sustained rear end damage. The third vehicle, a Mitsubishi Lancer driven by a Brooklyn woman, had damage to its right fender.
All of the drivers in the crash were transported by ambulance to Norwich’s William W. Backus Hospital. The Chevrolet’s driver suffered a head injury and was later flown by emergency medical helicopter to Hartford Hospital for treatment.
State Police said that the first accident took place 35 minutes earlier. A 47-yearold driver lost control of his Hyundai Sonata and crashed into the central median. The driver suffered a minor injury and his passenger was unhurt. No other vehicles were involved in the first crash.
Motorists harmed in these car accidents may seek compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Source: The Bulletin, “Police: Truck driver caused Friday crash on I-395,” Dan Bender, May 3, 2014
