Route 159 Suffield Crash Shuts Down Road: Traffic Update

A tragic head-on collision along Route 159 in Suffield on Thursday afternoon claimed the life of a 77-year-old Windsor Locks woman. The crash caused hours of traffic disruption and has sparked concern about driver safety on one of north-central Connecticut’s busiest commuter corridors.

Deadly Head-On Crash on Route 159 in Suffield

Suffield police said the crash happened around 1:45 p.m. on the stretch of Route 159 between Boston Neck Road and Bridge Street. That stretch of road is always busy with commuters heading between Hartford, Enfield, and the Massachusetts line.

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The collision involved a passenger car and a sprinter-style Amazon delivery van. Emergency crews from several agencies rushed to the scene almost immediately.

Traffic on Route 159, a major connector for folks in towns like East Windsor, Windsor, and Bloomfield, stopped completely. Police and firefighters managed the scene while crash reconstruction teams documented evidence.

Victim Identified as Windsor Locks Woman

Police identified the car’s driver as Carol Breton, 77, of Windsor Locks. Investigators said Breton was heading southbound on Route 159 when, for reasons still under review, her car crossed the double yellow line and hit the northbound Amazon van head-on.

Breton suffered “very serious injuries,” according to officials. First responders from Suffield and nearby towns, including mutual aid from departments along the Connecticut–Massachusetts corridor, gave immediate medical care at the scene.

Emergency Response and Hospitalization

Because her injuries were so severe, crews took Breton by ambulance to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. That hospital often handles trauma cases from northern Connecticut towns like Vernon and Manchester.

Despite everyone’s efforts, she died from her injuries later on. The names of the Amazon van’s driver and passenger haven’t been released yet.

Officials said both had minor injuries and received treatment after the crash.

Route 159 Shut Down for Hours

The crash scattered debris across both lanes, forcing authorities to close Route 159 from Boston Neck Road to Bridge Street for several hours. For local drivers who rely on this route between Suffield, Windsor Locks, and Enfield, the closure meant long delays and detours through side streets and neighborhoods.

Police reopened the road around 7 p.m., after investigators finished their work and tow trucks cleared the scene.

Police Investigation Ongoing

Suffield police are still looking into why Breton’s car crossed the center line. They’re documenting the scene, checking for any surveillance or dashcam video, and talking to witnesses and those involved.

By Friday, authorities hadn’t announced any possible causes like medical issues, distraction, or impairment. A full report will come later, with help from state and maybe regional agencies that handle serious crashes from New Haven to Hartford County.

Safety Concerns on Busy Commuter Routes

Crashes like this always get people talking about safety on busy state routes like 159. The road serves commuters, commercial drivers, and local residents in towns like Suffield, Windsor Locks, East Windsor, and Enfield.

Head-on collisions are especially dangerous, often leading to severe or fatal injuries—older drivers are particularly at risk.

Police and safety advocates keep urging drivers to stick to some basic habits when traveling on two-lane roads with oncoming traffic:

Stay within your lane and don’t drift near or over the center line.

Slow down in areas with curves, intersections, or driveways.

Limit distractions, especially phones and in-car electronics.

Adjust your driving for weather, visibility, and traffic.

Impact on the Community

The loss of a longtime resident like Carol Breton hits Windsor Locks hard. Folks in neighboring towns feel it too, since families often cross town lines for work, school, or just to run errands.

Every day, a lot of people drive Route 159 to jobs in Hartford. Others head to medical appointments in Springfield or shop in Enfield and Manchester. So, the safety of this stretch really matters to everyone around here.

Suffield Police are still looking into what happened. If you saw the crash or noticed the vehicles right before the accident, they want to hear from you.

Drivers who were traveling between Suffield and Windsor, or anyone living nearby who might have security footage, could really help piece together those last moments. Even small details might make a difference.

Here is the source article for this story: Serious crash closes Route 159 in Suffield

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