41-Year-Old Massachusetts Woman Killed in I-84 Crash [Updated]

Updated at 2:30 p.m., 11/21

According to a spokesperson at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, two of the victims in the accident were treated and released. Another, a 31-year-old Waterbury man, is listed in stable condition.

Updated at 10:45 a.m., 11/21

The driver who was killed in a car accident on I-84 last night has been identified as Laurie Carvalho, a 41-year-old resident of North Attleborough, Mass.

According to a report just released by Connecticut State Police, Carvalho was an occupant in one of six vehicles that were involved in the crash at about 5 p.m. on Nov. 20. The extent of the injuries of the other drivers remains unknown at this time. There were a total of nine people in the six cars, police report.

The accident occured during rush hour when five vehicles traveling westbound in the far left lane slowed to a stop along with traffic, the report states. A sixth vehicle, which police said was being driven by Martinez Juan, 23, of Springfield, Mass., reportedly slammed into Carvalho's car and caused a chain-reaction crash.

Carvahlo was driving a 2011 Nissan Rogue, police said. Juan's vehicle is owned by Penske Truck Leasing Co., according to the police report.

The accident closed the highway for several hours last night and resulted in heavy traffic delays that stretched for nearly 19 miles at one point.

Anyone with information about the accident is encouraged to call Connecticut State Police Troop A at 203-267-2240.

Update at 8:44 p.m., 11/20

A multi-vehicle accident on I-84 claimed the life of one person, according to the News-Times. Kevin Nursick, a Department of Transportation spokesperson, is quoted as saying the area looks like a war zone. 

Nancy Spear of Oxford said she witnessed the accident. She described what she saw in a text message to Patch:

"There were debris and bodies laying in the road and smoke coming from cars ... traffic behind was at a total stop. People were getting out of their cars to try to help victims in the road."

The number of victims and their status remains unknown. Meanwhile, the highway is closed for accident reconstruction. Nursick told Patch that at one point, I-84 eastbound was backed up for 19 miles.

7:10 p.m. Update, 11/20

Middlebury Fire Chief Paul Perrotti reported the following over the fire department scanner:

Traffic presently on the highway is allowed to move. Once the highway is clear, the eastbound side of I-84 near exit 16 will be closed for approximately two hours, for accident reconstruction.

Original article:

A state police officer stationed at Troop A in Southbury said Interstate 84 Eastbound is currently shut down in Middlebury due to a multi-vehicle accident.

Police have not released a statement, but according to information transmitted over the scanner the accident involves a tractor trailer and several vehicles. It reportedly took place near exit 16 in Middlebury.

At least one patient was reportedly being transported to St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury. A hospital spokesperson was not immediately available for comment Tuesday evening.

Motorists should expect traffic delays in the area as emergency officials are still on scene.

Patch will update this article as more information becomes available.