Two crashes on highways in CT leave 6 dead

Both accidents involved motorists driving the wrong way on interstates, state police say

Two major interstate highways have been reopened after separate crashes involving wrong-way drivers resulted in six deaths shortly before 3 a.m., according to State Police.

Interstate 91 northbound was closed between Exits 18 and 20 in Meriden, while Interstate 84 eastbound was closed between Exits 49 and 50 in Hartford. The two highways closed before 3 a.m. Saturday, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The scenes were cleared and the highways reopened around 8:50 a.m., state police said.

The first crash took place around 2:25 a.m. State police were called about a wrong-way driver on I-91 near Exit 18 in Meriden, Trooper 1st Class Pedro Muñiz said in an email statement.

Reports stated that a vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lanes. Moments later, troopers received reports that the vehicle collided with another vehicle, Muñiz said.

The collision resulted in two deaths, according to Muñiz.

About 15 minutes later, around 2:45 a.m., troopers received reports of a crash on I-84 East near Exit 51 in Hartford, Muñiz said.

This crash also involved a wrong-way driver and resulted in four fatalities, according to Muñiz.

The state police’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad, as well as the Department of Transportation, were on both scenes investigating and assisting with the road closures. Local fire departments were also called to assist, Muñiz said.

State police said there was no further information and it will release information as it becomes available.

State Police Sgt. Dawn Pagan said wrong-way drivers are not an issue unique to the state.

“It is a battle that is faced nationwide and unfortunately is not something new,” Pagan said.

Wrong-way crashes caused about 500 deaths a year nationwide between 2015 and 2018, according to a study from AAA published in March 2021.

Fatal wrong-way crashes have increased across highways across the country in recent years. However, from 2015 to 2018, Connecticut saw a decline, according to an AAA analysis using data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

Between 2010 to 2014, the state had 29 fatal wrong-way crashes, and 20 wrong-way crashes from 2015 to 2018, the analysis stated.

When police receive reports of wrong-way drivers, state police respond “swiftly as we fully recognize the imminent danger involved,” Pagan said.

AAA’s study found three factors as prime causes of fatalities in wrong-way crashes — alcohol impairment, advanced age and driving without a passenger.

Pagan said that impaired driving is not the only factor that could lead to wrong-way drivers. It can also involve those “experiencing mental crisis, disoriented drivers who may be experiencing the effects of illness, and even severe weather conditions that can limit visibility,” Pagan said.

Wrong-way drivers are often identified by troopers on patrol and through reports from members of the public.

“We urge the public to continue to call 911 immediately when they witness these drivers on the roadway,” Pagan said.