2 wrong-way driver crashes kill 6, police say

Two major interstate highways have been reopened after separate crashes involving wrongway drivers resulted in six deaths shortly before 3 a.m., according to Connecticut 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 First Class Pedro Muñiz said in an email statement. Moments later, troopers received reports that the vehicle collided with another vehicle, Muñiz said.

The collision resulted in two fatalities, according to Muñiz.

Those two women were identified by state police just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday. They are Charde Monet Spates, 21, of New Haven, and Judith MelvinLevy, 49, of Windsor. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

The wrong-way vehicle was a 2020 Toyota Camry driven by Spates, according to the accident report.

She was traveling southbound in the left of three lanes on I-91 northbound between exits 17 and 18 when she collided head on with another vehicle.

The other vehicle was a 2012 BMW X5 driven by Melvin-Levy.

Justin Levy, a 21-year-old passenger in that vehicle was transported by Hunter's Ambulance to Hartford Hospital with “non-life threatening injuries,” according to the accident report.

Police are still investigating this incident. Any witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Connecticut State Police Troop I at 203-393-4200 or david.pelletier2@ct.gov.

About 15 minutes after that incident occurred, 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.

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 respectively. 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.

Connecticut 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 continued.

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 as well as through public reports.

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

Drivers should also pull over and call 911 if they fall ill while on the road, avoid traveling in severe weather conditions and have a designated driver or use a rideshare service when needed. People can also help their loved ones manage their mental and physical health, as well as determine if it is appropriate for their loved one to keep their driver’s license, Pagan said.