Car Struck Tractor Trailer in Wednesday Night Crash, Causing it to Jack-Knife: State Police

The fiery crash Wednesday night on Interstate 95 in Fairfield occurred after a Darien motorist came back onto the highway from an exit ramp and struck a tractor trailer, causing it to jack-knife, hit the center median divider and burst into flames, according to a State Police report.

The report says Carlos Garcia, 42, of Brooklyn. N.Y., was driving a tractor trailer in I-95's northbound center lane by exit 24 about 9:36 p.m. when a 2000 Toyota Camry driven by Aeliya Raza, 27, of Hoyt Street in Darien, was traveling onto the exit 24 off-ramp. But Raza then abruptly cut back onto the highway and across the right lane into the center lane, according to the report.

Raza's car struck the right side of the tractor trailer, causing the Camry to veer to the right and strike the metal beam guide rail in the right shoulder of I-95, according to the report. Garcia's tractor trailer jack-knifed and struck the center median divider and its saddle fuel tank ruptured and caused a fire, the report says.

The tractor trailer, which was carrying video equipment according to Fairfield firefighters, was severely burned and totaled, according to the State Police report.

Firefighters found Garcia outside the tractor trailer, and both Garcia and Raza were taken by AMR Ambulance Co. to Bridgeport Hospital, according to firefighters and the State Police report.

Fortunately, Garcia and Raza were not as badly injured as initial reports from emergency responders at the scene indicated. Bridgeport Hospital spokesman John Cappiello said Thursday afternoon that Garcia was treated and released from the hospital Thursday morning and Raza was treated and released from the hospital Wednesday night.