Injured Driver Identified In 9-Vehicle Accident On I-95 In Fairfield: UPDATE

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Greenwich man was hospitalized with serious injuries after being trapped under a box trailer as part of a nine-vehicle accident involving three tractor trailers on I-95 in Fairfield early Tuesday morning, according to Fairfield fire officials.

The accident occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14 in the area of Exit 19 on I-95 North in Fairfield.

State Police said a tractor-trailer truck driven by Kyree Javar Blanford, 26, of Delaware, was traveling in the right lane when it struck the metal guardrail and a light pole.

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The light pole was knocked down and went across all three northbound lanes when it was struck by another tractor-trailer truck, according to police.

The second tractor-trailer immediately pulled over and stopped safely in the right shoulder, state police said.

A 2015 Hyundai Sonata driven by Tom Barberino, 44, of Greenwich, attempted to avoid the previous accident that involved multiple vehicles and lost control and crashed into the rear of the second tractor trailer. Police said it was unknown if the Barberino’s vehicle had successfully avoided the light pole or struck it.

Fairfield firefighters responded and Engine 4, under the command of Lt. James Shiller and Rescue 1 arrived on scene to find a vehicle with its driver trapped under the box trailer.

“Assistant Chief Erik Kalapir upon arrival at the scene, assumed Incident Command and special called Engines 1, 2 and Ladder 2 for additional equipment and manpower providing a total of 17 firefighters for this labor intensive extrication operation,” Fairfield fire officials wrote in a press release. “The operation required the closure of northbound traffic for over an hour, so emergency crew could safely operate.

“Manpower under the direction of Lieutenants Eric McKeon and Rodger Caisse, utilized pneumatic struts and air bags for a lifting operation of the box trailer, while at the same time compressing the suspension of the pinned vehicle. A grip-hoist was utilized to remove the car from under the box trailer in a controlled operation. Only then could the driver be extricated utilizing hydraulic cutting and spreading tools.”

American Medical Response provided medical treatment and transported the patient, identified as Barberino, to Bridgeport Hospital with serious injuries.

Blanford was also transported to the hospital for treatment and evaluation, officials said.

Connecticut State Police and Department of Transportation crews remained on scene for accident investigation and restoration purposes.

Police said no action was taken at this time, however, the accident remains under investigation.

Pictured: Fairfield Firefighters work on a vehicle extrication early Tuesday morning on I-95 in Fairfield/ Photos courtesy of the Fairfield Fire Department

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