SHARE

Truck Driver Pinned In I-95 Rollover In Fairfield Dies From Injuries

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The driver who was critically injured after his truck rolled over on I-95 north in Fairfield on Thursday morning has died at Bridgeport Hospital, a nursing supervisor confirmed. 

The tractor-trailer came to rest on the driver's side.

The tractor-trailer came to rest on the driver's side.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
Fairfield firefighters work to free the truck driver.

Fairfield firefighters work to free the truck driver.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
The truck took out the sign for Exit 23 on I-95 northbound.

The truck took out the sign for Exit 23 on I-95 northbound.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
Fairfield firefighters work to free the truck driver.

Fairfield firefighters work to free the truck driver.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department

The accident occurred after John Collett, 32, of Wallingford, dropped off a Dumpster at the McDonald's on the Post Road traffic circle and merged onto I-95 at North Benson Road at about 10 a.m., the Connecticut Post said. 

Witnesses told police that the arms of the roll-off truck, registered to John's Refuse & Recycling of Northford, were in an upright position and hit the Meadowbrook Road overpass near Exit 23, ripping off the top of the truck, the Post said.  

The truck rolled onto its side and the highway guard rail pierced the vehicle, said Assistant Chief George Gomola, the incident commander.

"I have never seen steel guard rail wrapped around inside a vehicle like it had in this incident," Gomola said. "This was a very difficult extrication that resolved quite quickly due to high level of  training and professionalism demonstrated by our firefighters."

Collett, who was unconscious and unresponsive, was freed by Fairfield firefighters and transported to Bridgeport Hospital, where he was admitted in very critical condition and later died. Firefighters had to use heavy rescue equipment to cut the roof off the truck and the guard rail pinning him inside the vehicle, Gomola said. 

"Fairfield firefighters did an amazing job of removing the driver from the wreckage in a safe and timely manner," he said. 

The accident caused an 11-mile traffic backup all the way to Exit 13 in Norwalk for over three hours after the crash. It blocked two right lanes of I-95 northbound and closed Exit 23 in Fairfield. It also caused traffic delays along the Post Road in in town, Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara ‏said via Twitter. 

State police were investigating the cause of the crash.

Read the full Connecticut Post story here.

to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE