Van Hits Tree In Trumbull, Spills Pool Chemicals: FD

TRUMBULL, CT — A commercial pool company van struck a tree on Route 15 northbound near Exit 49 early Friday morning.

The driver suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries, according to the Long Hill Volunteer Fire Co. #1 Inc., which posted about the crash on Facebook.

The driver, who was identified as a Stamford resident, was transported to St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, according to state police.

Emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene around 1:30 a.m.

The van was carrying pool chemicals, according to the fire department.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the scene to coordinate the clean up of any hazardous materials.

James Fowler, a spokesman for DEEP, said the impact of the crash caused a mix of pool maintenance chemicals, including chlorine and muriatic acid, to break open inside the vehicle.

“While there was a chemical reaction resulting in vapor release inside the van, no significant release occurred to the surrounding environment,” Fowler said. “DEEP staff worked on scene to safely separate incompatible chemicals and oversaw the removal of remaining materials for proper disposal.”

There was no environmental impact to nearby land or water, according to Fowler.

Officials cleared the scene after about four and a half hours, according to the fire department.

State police said Friday morning the driver lost control of the van and was at fault for the crash, and charges against the driver are pending.

The van is owned by RPM Pool Technicians LLC of Stamford, according to police. Morange is listed as the company’s principal, according to the Secretary of the State’s office.