Serious Crash Shuts I-84 West in East Hartford; Expect Delays

Morning commuters across central Connecticut hit major delays Wednesday. A serious multi-injury crash shut down Interstate 84 West in East Hartford near Exit 55.

Westbound lanes stayed closed for hours. State police, fire crews, and medical teams rushed in, investigated, and cleared the wreckage before reopening the highway.

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Serious I-84 Crash Snarls East Hartford Morning Commute

Connecticut State Police said the crash happened around 7:45 a.m. on I-84 West in East Hartford. This stretch is a daily lifeline for drivers from Hartford, Manchester, Vernon, and beyond.

The incident unfolded near Exit 55. That connector funnels heavy traffic toward downtown Hartford and points west—it’s always packed at that hour.

Early reports said several people suffered serious injuries. The emergency response was huge, and all westbound lanes shut down immediately.

Drivers coming in from New Britain, Bristol, and Middletown suddenly found themselves trapped in gridlock. The morning commute ground to a halt for thousands.

Multiple Injuries and Heavy Emergency Response

State police confirmed several people got hurt in the crash. They haven’t shared exactly how many or how badly yet.

Emergency medical teams arrived fast, joined by local fire departments and EMS units from nearby towns. First responders treated victims right on the highway before taking those with worse injuries to hospitals in Hartford and the surrounding area.

The scene took careful coordination. Traffic piled up behind the closure as crews tried to secure the area and help everyone involved.

Crash Reconstruction Team Called to the Scene

With the crash as severe as it was, state police sent a specialized crash reconstruction unit. They usually show up when there’s life-threatening injuries, fatalities, or just a lot to untangle.

Investigators documented vehicle positions and road conditions. They looked for any mechanical issues or signs of driver error.

Their findings will help figure out what really happened and if anyone might face charges.

Several Hours of Investigation and Cleanup

Officials stayed on scene for hours, measuring, collecting evidence, and overseeing the removal of the wrecked vehicles. Meanwhile, traffic barely moved.

Commuters from Windsor, Glastonbury, and West Hartford scrambled for alternate routes into Hartford. Road crews checked for damage to guardrails and pavement, making sure it was safe before reopening.

Tow trucks and cleanup teams worked alongside investigators. Clearing the scene took time, but they tried to do it without rushing the investigation.

Traffic Impacts Across Central Connecticut

The crash happened just before 8 a.m.—right at the peak of rush hour. I-84 is a main artery for people heading into Hartford from all over, so closing the westbound lanes threw the whole region into chaos.

Drivers had to scramble for alternate routes. Local roads and other highways filled up fast.

East Hartford surface streets near the interstate

Inbound routes from Manchester and Vernon

Connections from Route 2 serving Glastonbury and beyond

Cross-town routes through Hartford and West Hartford

Advice for Connecticut Drivers After Major Highway Crashes

Crashes like this show how quickly travel can go sideways on major routes like I-84, I-91, and Route 2. State police often remind drivers from cities and towns all over—New Haven, Waterbury, or anywhere else—to stay alert and leave extra time, just in case.

If a crash shuts down a major highway, here’s what drivers should do:

Check real-time traffic apps or DOT alerts before heading out

Follow detour signs—don’t make illegal U-turns or cross medians

Move over and slow down for emergency crews

Stay patient and try not to drive aggressively on side streets or alternate routes

I-84 West Reopens After Closure

After several hours of investigation and cleanup, Connecticut State Police confirmed that I-84 West in East Hartford has reopened to traffic.

Congestion slowly eased through late morning. Even so, some delays lingered as drivers from all over the region tried to get past the scene.

The state police crash reconstruction unit is still investigating the crash. They’re expected to share more details about what caused the collision and the condition of those injured as they learn more.

If you live anywhere along the I-84 corridor, from Hartford to New Britain, this incident really hits home. It’s a tough reminder—driving on Connecticut’s busiest highways demands attention and care.

Here is the source article for this story: Serious crash closes I-84 West in East Hartford

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