The driver of a tractor trailer carrying bottled water died following an accident on I-95 South early Friday morning, fire officials report.
The accident occurred shortly after 6:30 a.m. on the southbound side of the highway between the rest stop and Exit 40.
Milford firefighters arrived on the scene and found a tractor trailer off the road and into the wooded area, according to Fire Battalion Chief Anthony Fabrizi.
“The driver of the vehicle was pinned in the vehicle and had to be extricated,” Fabrizi said. “The extrication was complicated by having to remove trees and brush as well as having to deal with spilled diesel fuel and a nearby stream.”
Fire Department paramedics provided advanced life support during the extrication process.
“Despite the extraordinary efforts by the fire department, the driver ultimately succumbed to his injuries,” Fabrizi said.
The highway is down to one lane of traffic and will remain that way pending an accident investigation by the Connecticut State Police.
State police anticipated the highway would open around noon but if it went longer they planned to temporarily suspend the investigation at 3:30 p.m. to allow for rush hour traffic.
DEEP and the DEEP commissioner were also on the scene due to hazardous fluids that leaked out of the truck, according to Fabrizi. A boom has been placed downstream to contain the spill.