Truck Blamed For 9-Vehicle I-291 Crash In South Windsor

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — A tractor-trailer failed to slow for traffic before triggering a nine-vehicle pileup on Interstate 291 in South Windsor, according to a Connecticut State Police accident summary obtained by CT Insider.

The crash happened around 7:45 a.m. Aug. 31 on I-291 west near the Exit 2 entrance ramp. A 2016 Volvo tractor-trailer owned by Hartford Distributors Inc. was approaching slowed traffic when its driver failed to stop in time, state police said, according to CT Insider.

The truck was driven by a 46-year-old Naugatuck man who was not injured.

Patch initially reported that the crash involved a tractor-trailer and what was initially described as a school bus. State police later confirmed that nine vehicles were involved, including a Capitol Region Education Council school van carrying a 12-year-old Manchester boy.

Six people were taken to hospitals. A 63-year-old East Hampton man suffered serious injuries, while five others had minor or possible injuries, according to state police. The student and the van’s driver were among those with minor injuries.

The westbound side of the highway was closed for several hours while emergency crews treated the injured, removed damaged vehicles and addressed spilled vehicle fluids.

The crash occurred as drivers approached a work zone near the Bissell Bridge, where westbound traffic has been reduced to one lane. Backups can extend toward Exit 2, where motorists crest a hill before encountering slow or stopped traffic.

Following the pileup, Patch reported that state transportation officials plan to add warning signs, speed indicators and automated work-zone cameras along the stretch of highway.

State police said the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information may contact Troop H at 860-534-1000 or Trooper First Class Joshua Durant at Joshua.Durant@ct.gov.