One person was killed and another was hospitalized following a crash between an SUV and a tractor-trailer on Interstate 91 in Hartford early Tuesday, state police said.
State police troopers were dispatched just after 2:30 a.m. to I-91 North in the area of Exit 29A on the report of a car versus tractor-trailer crash, according to Connecticut State Police.
State police said a Nissan Rogue driven by a 45-year-old man from Albany, was heading north on I-91 in the right center lane of five directly in front of the tractor-trailer when, for an unknown reason, the SUV rapidly decelerated causing the tractor-trailer to collided with its rear end.
The tractor-trailer driver, identified as a 31-year-old man from North Miami, Florida, reported he was not injured and declined medical evaluation at the scene, according to state police.
The Nissan driver suffered suspected minor injuries and was transported to Hartford Hospital, state police said. The right rear passenger in the Nissan, identified as 53-year-old Paula Garcia of Easthampton, Massachusetts, was pronounced dead at the scene.
State police said the C.A.R.S. Unit responded to assist.
The collision remains under investigation, according to state police.
Any witnesses to the collision or who have a vehicle equipped with a dashcam that was driving through the area at the time of the collision are asked to contact Trooper Michael Dean at Troop H at 860-534-1098 or by email at michael.dean@ct.gov.