Woman Killed, Man Injured in I-84 Tractor-Trailer Crash in Willington

A fatal crash on Interstate 84 in Willington, Connecticut, claimed the life of a woman and left a man seriously injured on Wednesday afternoon. The collision occurred around 3:15 p.m. near Exit 71 on the eastbound side of the highway and involved a tractor-trailer and a 2015 Hyundai Elantra.

According to Connecticut State Police, the vehicles were traveling in the right lane when the Elantra’s driver, a 33-year-old man from Holland, Massachusetts, attempted to switch into the center lane. During the lane change, the Elantra struck the rear bumper of the tractor-trailer, causing it to spin out and stop in the center lane. The impact left the vehicle disabled.

The crash tragically resulted in the death of a passenger in the Elantra, identified as 39-year-old Gennesse Marie Alicea of Southbridge, Massachusetts. Despite swift response from emergency personnel, Alicea was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Elantra sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Hartford Hospital via LifeStar. His current condition has not been disclosed.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 63-year-old man from Worcester, Massachusetts, was uninjured and remained at the scene, cooperating with authorities. State police confirmed that no visible injuries were sustained by the truck driver.

Investigators are working to determine the exact circumstances of the crash. They are analyzing evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage, and potential surveillance footage from the area. Authorities are particularly focused on understanding why the lane change occurred and whether road conditions, speed, or other external factors played a role.

This tragic accident underscores the dangers of highway driving, particularly when smaller vehicles interact with large commercial trucks. Tractor-trailers, due to their size and weight, can cause devastating damage in collisions. The incident also highlights the importance of careful lane changes and maintaining safe distances on busy highways.

State police are urging witnesses or anyone with information about the crash to contact Trooper Michael Honeywell at 860-896-3200. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims are left grappling with profound loss, and the community mourns the life taken too soon in this heartbreaking accident.