Fiery Crashes Close Merritt Parkway North in Stamford; Delays Expected

What you’re about to read is a Connecticut news recap of a tragic, overnight sequence on the Merritt Parkway near Exit 13 in Stamford. A fatal single-vehicle crash sparked a second collision and a vehicle fire, drawing in state police investigators and prompting a road closure that lasted into the next morning.

Authorities also reported injuries to multiple people. Investigators are still trying to piece together exactly how the events unfolded.

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What happened on the Merritt Parkway near Exit 13

The initial crash happened around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday on the northbound side of the Merritt Parkway, near Exit 13 in Stamford. The crash involved a single vehicle, and a fire broke out right after the collision.

State police said the passenger, a woman whose identity hadn’t been confirmed as of Wednesday, died in the initial crash. The driver, a 64-year-old man from Bridgeport, went to Norwalk Hospital with injuries that weren’t life-threatening.

Responders from the Connecticut State Police crash reconstruction unit showed up soon after to investigate what happened. They closed the roadway for a while, trying to figure out if speed, road conditions, or something else played a role.

A second crash and the cruiser fire happened about an hour later, around 11:50 p.m. A passing motorist hit a state trooper’s parked cruiser, which had its emergency lights flashing and was blocking the northbound lanes at the scene.

The impact set the trooper’s cruiser on fire. The trooper was outside the vehicle and wasn’t hurt.

The driver who hit the cruiser was taken to Stamford Hospital with injuries that weren’t life-threatening. State police identified the motorist as a 17-year-old from New Canaan, who reportedly admitted to speeding before the collision.

Another person got hurt in these overnight incidents, according to fire officials from Stamford. Investigators from the Connecticut State Police are still reviewing evidence, accident reconstruction findings, and statements from everyone involved.

Investigation updates, reopening, and how to share information

By Wednesday morning, the northbound section of the Merritt Parkway near Exit 13 had reopened. That ended a street closure that really tangled up traffic in Stamford and nearby towns.

With the reopening, drivers could finally get back to using the corridor that links communities like Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, and New Canaan. It also connects places like Greenwich, Darien, Wilton, and Fairfield.

State police say the investigation’s still active. If you know anything about the crashes, they want you to reach out to Trooper Falstoe at 203-696-2500 or email the department.

They’re hoping more details will help them piece together the timeline and figure out if future crashes like this can be prevented. The whole thing really highlights how risky busy Connecticut roads can be—especially ones that cut through so many towns.

Investigators are still reviewing evidence and talking to witnesses. Drivers in southwestern Connecticut might see more lane closures if needed, and traffic could back up during rush hour. Not ideal, but that’s the reality right now.

Timeline: 10:20 p.m. first crash; 11:50 p.m. second crash; reopening Wednesday morning.
Locations: Merritt Parkway northbound near Exit 13, Stamford.
People involved: one female passenger (identity pending), a 64-year-old Bridgeport man, a 17-year-old New Canaan driver.
Injuries: multiple confirmed injuries, including non-life-threatening injuries to the Bridgeport driver and the New Canaan teen; a female passenger died in the initial crash.
Next steps: state police investigation with reconstruction unit; call for witnesses to share information with Trooper Falstoe.

Here is the source article for this story: Merritt Parkway North in Stamford closed after two fiery crashes

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