Farmington, CT — A 34-year-old man lost his life and two others were injured in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 84 East near Exit 37 on Monday morning, according to Connecticut State Police. The crash forced authorities to close a large section of the highway for most of the day as emergency crews and investigators responded.
How the Crash Happened
Troopers reported that the incident occurred when a vehicle traveling eastbound collided with two cars parked on the right shoulder of the interstate. Both parked vehicles were struck with significant force, resulting in multiple injuries.
One of the victims, later identified as Adam Peppe, 34, of Brewster, New York, suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash. Emergency medical teams rushed Peppe to the hospital, but despite lifesaving efforts, he was later pronounced dead.
Victims and Injuries
While Peppe tragically did not survive, police confirmed that two additional people were hurt in the accident. Both sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene and local hospitals. Authorities said they are expected to recover fully.
Troopers emphasized that LifeStar, a medical helicopter, was called to the scene due to the severity of the crash and the critical nature of Peppe’s injuries.
Major Highway Closures
The crash led to a complete shutdown of the eastbound lanes of I-84 between Exits 36 and 37 starting early Monday morning. Traffic was diverted to Route 9/72, causing heavy congestion in the area throughout the day, as per NBC Connecticut.
In addition to the full closure, the Route 72 West ramp to I-84 East was blocked off to allow investigators and emergency crews to safely work at the site. Later in the afternoon, the right lane of I-84 between Exits 37 and 39 was closed for emergency road repairs before reopening to traffic.
Police Investigation
The Connecticut State Police Troop H is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet released details on what may have caused the driver of the moving vehicle to strike the parked cars.
Investigators are urging anyone with information about the collision to contact Troop H directly. Authorities noted that witness accounts and dashcam footage could help determine the exact sequence of events.
Community Impact
Accidents along Interstate 84, one of Connecticut’s busiest highways, often lead to significant delays and raise concerns about driver attentiveness and safety along the route. Monday’s crash has once again highlighted the risks associated with shoulder stops on major highways, where parked vehicles can quickly become vulnerable to high-speed traffic.
What do you think should be done to improve highway safety in Connecticut? Should stricter measures be put in place to prevent tragedies like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
