30 People Hospitalized in More Than 20-Vehicle Crash on Snowy I-91 in Middletown: State Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Connecticut State Police are continuing to investigate the more than 20-vehicle crash that sent 30 people to the hospital and closed part of I-91 in Middletown for about six hours during Saturday’s snowstorm.

There were about 25 vehicles involved in the crash, including four tractor-trailers, according to state police.

State Troopers received numerous 911 calls reporting the collision at about 12:17 p.m. on Jan. 7 near Exit 21 on I-91 South in Middletown. Multiple area fire departments and ambulances also responded to the scene.

As a result of the collision, one of the tractor-trailer fuel cells was ruptured and diesel fuel was spilled onto the roadway and required cleanup by the DEEP, according to police.

The roadway remained closed until all disabled vehicles were towed.

Middletown Mayor Dan Drew praised the response of the emergency crews.

“A big shout out to the CT State Police troopers, Westfield Fire, Hunters Ambulance, and Middletown Central Communications — all of whom were first responders to the pile-up on 91 today,” Drew said in a post on Facebook. “It’s hard to imagine working through the conditions they faced and juggling so many variables, including injured drivers and passengers, fuel leaks, oncoming traffic, freezing temperatures, snow, and wind. A big thanks also to the MPD, MFD, SFD, EM and the mutual aid agencies that covered the rest of the city while so many resources were tied up on 91. Thanks, also, to the emergency room staffs at Middlesex and Hartford hospitals.”

Photo via Connecticut State Police