Driver Collides with Fire Engine on Hartford’s I-91, Police Report

# Hartford Driver Crashes into Fire Engine on I-91 While Attempting to Pass Another Vehicle

A late-night crash on Interstate 91 in Hartford put a spotlight on just how risky it can get for emergency responders. On Wednesday night, a driver slammed into a Hartford Fire Department engine that was parked with its emergency lights flashing, protecting crews at the scene of another accident.

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Several people got hurt, and now the driver faces some serious charges. It’s another harsh reminder of Connecticut’s “Move Over” law, which aims to keep emergency workers safe.

Details of the Interstate 91 Collision

The crash happened around 11:48 p.m. near the exit 32 A-B ramp from I-91 South in Hartford. State police said the fire department had parked their engine with all lights blazing, blocking the ramp as they handled a previous accident.

This is pretty standard for first responders across Connecticut, whether you’re in New Haven, Waterbury, or anywhere else. It’s meant to keep everyone safe.

How the Crash Unfolded

Investigators say a 22-year-old Hartford resident was behind the wheel of an Acura, flying down the exit lane way too fast. He tried to get around a Mazda but lost control.

The Acura slammed into the driver’s side of the parked fire engine and clipped the Mazda on the passenger side. The crash was hard enough that several people needed to be checked out by doctors.

Honestly, this kind of reckless driving seems to be popping up more often on Connecticut highways lately. There’ve been similar crashes on roads linking Stamford, Bridgeport, and other big towns.

Injuries and Medical Response

After the crash, three people had to go to local hospitals:

The 22-year-old Acura driver

Two Hartford Fire Department members

Thankfully, doctors called all the injuries minor. Both firefighters are already out of the hospital and should be fine, which is a relief.

It could have been much worse. Other towns like Danbury and Greenwich have seen emergency workers get seriously hurt in situations like this.

Legal Consequences for the Driver

Police charged the Acura driver with a whole list of offenses, including:

Reckless driving

Driving to endanger

Reckless endangerment

Failure to slow down or move over for a stopped emergency vehicle

Endangerment of a highway worker

He got out after posting a $1,500 bond and will have to show up in court in July. Connecticut doesn’t mess around when it comes to protecting first responders, and honestly, who can blame them?

Connecticut’s “Move Over” Law and Emergency Worker Safety

The crash puts Connecticut’s “Move Over” law front and center. Drivers are supposed to slow down and, if they can, switch lanes when they see emergency vehicles stopped with their lights on.

This law exists for a reason—to avoid exactly what happened on I-91. Emergency responders across Connecticut deal with real risks every time they’re out on the highway.

According to safety organizations, dozens of first responders nationwide get hurt or even killed every year in crashes just like this. It’s sobering, and honestly, it’s something we should all remember next time we’re behind the wheel.

Safety Reminders for Connecticut Drivers

Transportation officials across Connecticut, from Hartford to Middletown, want to remind drivers of a few simple things:

Slow down when you see emergency vehicles ahead.

If you can, switch lanes to give emergency crews more space.

Stay focused—put your phone away, especially in construction or emergency zones.

Don’t try to pass cars in exit lanes or near emergency scenes. It’s not worth the risk.

Here is the source article for this story: Driver hit fire engine on Interstate 91 in Hartford: police

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