A truck carrying thousands of gallons of petroleum toppled over in a violent crash on a major Connecticut freeway late Friday morning, leaving one person dead and numerous others hurt. The accident sent a billowing cloud of smoke into the air.
Several 911 calls were made around 11:15 a.m. on Friday alleging a collision involving a tractor-trailer hauling fuel driving southbound on Interstate 95 over the Gold Star Memorial Bridge in Groton, according to a Connecticut State Police Department spokesperson at a press conference.
Governor Ned Lamont claimed that a tire failure on a passenger car caused a “tragic” incident in which a tractor-trailer overturned, burst into flames, and approximately 2,200 gallons of petroleum spilled onto the road.
The twee below confirms the news:
Massive tanker truck fire shuts down I-95 in Groton, Gold Star Bridge – Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes. https://t.co/3ezFsphyuu
— Ryan Breton (@RyanBretonWX) April 21, 2023
The truck driver passed away, according to the authorities, who also noted that the occupants of the passenger car received non-life-threatening injuries.
Lamont stated that until authorities are certain it is “completely safe,” the southbound portion of the bridge would be blocked.
The state police said that the bridge’s northbound lanes had reopened around 12:40 p.m.
The drainage system of the bridge is damaged, according to Garrett Eucalitto, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. He also stated that technicians will be checking the bridge for any structural damage caused by the fire.
Officials have not yet released the names of the driver or any of the incident’s victims.
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