Wrecker Driver Critically Injured in Fiery Crash on I-95
Connecticut State Police/Liz Dowling
Updated at 5:09 PM EDT on Friday, Sep 4, 2015
A 53-year-old man was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries after the heavy duty wrecker he was driving blew a tire on Interstate 95 northbound, hitting the Route 2 overpass in North Stonington, according to police.
State police said the wrecker was leaving the scene of a prior crash at the time. The wrecker spun out of control, hitting the guard rail on the left-hand side of I-95 north, then plunging down a 1,000-foot embankment in the center median.
The wrecker struck a tree at the bottom of the embankment and burst into flames, police said.
Other drivers stopped to help the driver, John Martins, 53, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and pulled him from the burning vehicle. He was airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital, where he's listed in critical condition, according to police.
I-95 south was shut down for about an hour in the area of exit 92. The northbound side of the highway remained closed for three hours while authorities responded to investigate the crash and remove the burning wrecker. The highway has since reopened.
State police are warning drivers to be cautious.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash and are asking witnesses to call Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Rob Scavello at 860-848-6500