Image Gallery: Tractor-Trailer Removed From Vernon Trail System After Crashing Off I-84

VERNON, CT — A tractor-trailer had to be meticulously removed from the Rails-to-Trails system in Vernon Wednesday after crashing off interstate 84.

State police said that, at approximately 3:15 a.m., troopers responded to a report of a crash on I-84 westbound in the area of Exit 65 involving a tractor-trailer. They discovered the truck had left the pavement to the right, careened down an embankment just prior to the graffiti bridge overpass and landed on the trail system.

The truck had seemingly carved its own exit ramp as it ran down the hill.

No injuries were reported, according to state police.

Vernon police and the Vernon Department of Public works then took over the supervision of the removal process. Also providing supervision from a distance were onlookers identified as members of the land trust that oversees trail maintenance. They had somehow made their way onto the trail near the overpass.

The cab was first removed. Then came the trailer, which was hauling bottled water and sustained significant rear-end damage. The recovery involved a heavy duty wrecker slowly towing it along the trail to the intersection of Route 30 and Hillside Avenue.

Passing motorists, already slowing down because of a major crosswalk on Route 30, were aghast when noticing a large truck on a trail reserved for non-motorized bikes and hikers. Surprised walkers and cyclists were turned away because of the closed trail.

The wrecker then maneuvered the trailer onto Route 30, first through a tight squeeze between a utility pole and guardrail and then narrowly missing the crosswalk control. It then made its way into an adjoining parking lot.

At 12:34 p.m., the wrecked trailer was headed out of Vernon.

The trail then re-opened, though the sidewalk at the trail head extraction point was damaged.

Here is a visual sequence: