ID Released Of Driver Killed In In Fiery Crash On Gold Star Bridge: UPDATE

GROTON/NEW LONDON, CT — A Stonington man, Wallace Joseph Fauquet III, 42, of Deer Ridge Road, who was transporting home heating oil, was killed in a fiery 2-vehicle crash on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge on Friday, state police said.

Two others, a Groton woman and a New London man, who were inside a 2006 Toyota Avalon, suffered minor injuries in the crash.

A portion of the bridge was closed in both directions for, and the southbound lanes remained closed in the area of Exits 88 and 84 in Groton for several hours, according to the state Department of Transportation. The fire had spread to the structures under the Gold Star Bridge, according to Connecticut State Police.

In an accident summary, state police said, a 2006 Toyota Avalon was traveling on Interstate 95 south in the right lane at 11:17 a.m. Friday, approaching the Gold Star Memorial Bridge in Groton. While traveling, the Toyota Avalon sustained a tire failure, causing the tire to deflate, police said.

Following the tire failure, the Toyota Avalon traveled from the right lane, across the left acceleration lane, and into the right acceleration lane for the Bridge Street entrance ramp, state police said.

The Toyota Avalon came to a stop within the right acceleration lane on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge. At this time, a 2001 Kenworth T300, transporting home heating oil, was traveling southbound within the right acceleration lane, state police said.

The Kenworth T300 continued southbound where its front end collided into the rear end of the stopped Toyota Avalon, state police said. Following impact, the Kenworth T300 commenced into a rollover event, where a post collision fire ensued, state police said.

The post collision fire engulfed the immediate area to include both vehicles and portions of the Gold Star Bridge, state police said. The driver of the Kenworth T300 sustained fatal injuries. The occupants of the Toyota Avalon sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

At a news conference Friday afternoon, Gov. Ned Lamont said the truck driver was killed in the "tragic accident." He also said that 2,200 gallons of fuel spilled out after the crash. An off-duty New London police officer provided assistance to the occupants of the other vehicle, according to police.

"My heart goes out to everyone involved," Lamont said. "I want to thank all of the first responders and other drivers on the scene who immediately responded to give aid."

As of Saturday morning, the state DOT, said road work is ongoing at I-95 southbound between exits 86-84 and that the three right lanes are closed. The roadwork may take up to 24 hours, according to the DOT.

This collision remains under investigation by State Police – Troop E, in conjunction with the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad, and Traffic Services Unit – Truck Squad. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or have dash-camera footage of the collision is asked to contact State Police –Troop E at 860-848-6500.