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MSD · 02-19-2010, 06:36 PM

On January 22, 2010 at approximately 8:27AM, the red van in the following pictures was travelling northbound in the left lane approaching exit 39 on The Merritt Parkway/CT-15. It veered into the northbound right lane, struck a vehicle and deflected into the median, breaking the driver's side front wheel off of 2 of its 3 mountings and planting the front left corner of the van into the pavement, launching it into oncoming traffic. Witnesses state that the van fliped end-over-end three times, striking one car and landing the car it is seen on top of in these pictures. The van was owned by a painting company and fully loaded with supplies, some of which are still on the road at the site of the accident. My estimate based on eyewitness accounts and measurements of impact and resting points lead me to conclude that the van was travelling in excess of 95mph in a posted 55mph limit zone. I retrieved my camera from my car after being assured that my help was not needed and took the following pictures.

The car that was struck traveling northbound and was able to be driven several hundred feet forward to help ease traffic flow northbound.

This was the first of the southbound vehicles struck by the van.

The van came to rest on top of this Subaru.

A CTDOT worker cleans up the mess from the overturned painting company van.

A CTDOT worker throws a detached roof rack into the back of the van.

A state trooper radios a status update as the van is towed from place.

Backed up traffic on the Merritt Parkway heading back toward the hill after exits 40a and 40b. A fellow motorist and I walked down the center line signalling for cars to clear this room for emergency vehicles after emergency services were en route, and the DOT and Norwalk Fire Department guys who saw us signalling for people to get over gave us thumbs-ups and waved.

A fifth vehicle was involved that I could not get into place to take a picture of without risk of interfering with emergency services personnel. All drivers and passengers in the van and 4 cars involved, including an infant in a car seat, were wearing seatbelts and none sustained injuries beyond bruises and scrapes that were treated on the scene.

02-19-2010, 06:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	The crash. On January 22, 2010 at approximately 8:27AM, the red van in the following pictures was travelling northbound in the left lane approaching exit 39 on The Merritt Parkway/CT-15. It veered into the northbound right lane, struck a vehicle and deflected into the median, breaking the driver's side front wheel off of 2 of its 3 mountings and planting the front left corner of the van into the pavement, launching it into oncoming traffic. Witnesses state that the van fliped end-over-end three times, striking one car and landing the car it is seen on top of in these pictures. The van was owned by a painting company and fully loaded with supplies, some of which are still on the road at the site of the accident. My estimate based on eyewitness accounts and measurements of impact and resting points lead me to conclude that the van was travelling in excess of 95mph in a posted 55mph limit zone. I retrieved my camera from my car after being assured that my help was not needed and took the following pictures. The car that was struck traveling northbound and was able to be driven several hundred feet forward to help ease traffic flow northbound. This was the first of the southbound vehicles struck by the van. The van came to rest on top of this Subaru. A CTDOT worker cleans up the mess from the overturned painting company van. A CTDOT worker throws a detached roof rack into the back of the van. A state trooper radios a status update as the van is towed from place. Backed up traffic on the Merritt Parkway heading back toward the hill after exits 40a and 40b. A fellow motorist and I walked down the center line signalling for cars to clear this room for emergency vehicles after emergency services were en route, and the DOT and Norwalk Fire Department guys who saw us signalling for people to get over gave us thumbs-ups and waved. A fifth vehicle was involved that I could not get into place to take a picture of without risk of interfering with emergency services personnel. All drivers and passengers in the van and 4 cars involved, including an infant in a car seat, were wearing seatbelts and none sustained injuries beyond bruises and scrapes that were treated on the scene. Last edited by MSD; 02-26-2010 at 01:37 PM..