West Haven driver charged in fiery crash that injured firefighters and truck driver on I-91, police say
NEW HAVEN — A West Haven man has been charged in a fiery crash that injured two firefighters and a truck driver Tuesday night on Interstate 91, Connecticut State Police said.
The driver, identified as Wilton Ketter, 22, of Chew Street in West Haven, was charged with various motor vehicle offenses, state police said. Ketter, who does not hold a pistol permit, was also charged with several weapons offenses after investigators located a firearm inside the car, police said.
The New Haven Fire Department responded to I-91 southbound around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a crash near Exit 6, according to state police. While firefighters were on scene, state police said, Ketter’s black BMW traveling between the left lane and the left center lane sideswiped a tractor-trailer and another car. The BMW then spun out, state police said, striking a fire truck blocking the right lane and the right center lane.
Due to the force of the impact, the BMW erupted in flames, according to state police. Ketter was extricated from the burning car and transported to Yale New Haven Hospital with minor injuries, state police said.
Two firefighters inside the fire truck at the time of the crash were transported to Saint Raphael Hospital with possible injuries, according to state police. The driver of the tractor-trailer was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital with possible injuries, state police said.
Troopers investigating the incident discovered a firearm that did not bear a visible serial number inside the BMW, according to state police. They also determined the BMW’s Connecticut license plates belonged to a Honda Accord and had been canceled, state police said.
Ketter was arrested at Yale New Haven Hospital around 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, according to state police. He was transported to Troop I barracks in Bethany for processing after he was released from the hospital, state police said.
Following processing, Ketter posted $20,000 bond, according to state police. He is scheduled to appear at state Superior Court in New Haven on March 22.
Troopers investigating the incident discovered a firearm that did not bear a visible serial number inside the BMW, according to state police.