By Justin Muszynski
Hartford Courant
NORWICH, Conn. — A tractor-trailer hauling thousands of pounds of metal beams was involved in a four-car crash on Interstate 395 in Norwich on Tuesday, leading to the beams coming loose and smashing through the cab area of the tractor-trailer, trapping the injured driver inside.
The crash occurred on I-395 South just after 1:30 p.m. between Exits 14 and 18 in a construction zone, according to Connecticut State Police.
A 43-year-old Bridgeport man driving a tractor-trailer hauling a 25,000 lb. of metal beam struck a box truck and a 2015 Jeep Renegade which were headed south ahead of him, state police said. The collision sent the box truck into the rear of a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
During the crash, the metal beams became loose and encroached on the driver compartment of the tractor-trailer, trapping the driver inside, according to state police. The man suffered serious injuries and was taken in an ambulance to William W. Backus Hospital.
The driver of the box truck, a 25-year-old Uncasville man, and the driver of the Mercedes, a 67-year-old Lisbon woman, were both taken to the hospital for minor injuries, according to state police. The driver of the Jeep, a 26-year-old Eastford man, was taken to the hospital for a possible injury, state police said.
The crash remains under investigation.
Any witnesses or drivers in the area with dashboard camera footage have been asked to contact Trooper Timothy Wengloski at 860-848-6500.
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