At approximately 7:45 a.m., a routine morning on Interstate 95 took a disastrous turn when a flatbed truck carrying plywood sheets lost part of its cargo.
The sheets, caught by the wind and unsecured, flew off the truck and scattered across both lanes of the highway near Exit 64 in Westbrook.
The sudden debris caused chaos on the busy interstate, triggering a chain reaction crash involving multiple vehicles.
Among those caught in the pileup was Nicholas John Kupec, a 39-year-old resident of Waterford, who was driving a Jeep Compass.
As debris littered the roadway, vehicles swerved to avoid the flying plywood, resulting in a series of collisions.
The initial impact involved a Nissan Titan, a Kia K5, and a Ford Escape, all of which collided with debris and each other amid the confusion. Despite drivers’ efforts to slow down or steer clear, the chaos led to a severe rear-end collision that ultimately claimed Nicholas Kupec’s life.
He was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital with critical injuries, but despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead later that morning.
The crash not only resulted in the tragic loss of Nicholas but also caused significant damage to the Route 145 overpass above the highway.
The structural integrity of the bridge was compromised by the force of the crash and debris impact, prompting emergency crews to close the overpass immediately to assess the extent of the damage.
This closure disrupted traffic flow for hours, as crews worked tirelessly to clear wreckage, repair the bridge, and ensure safety on the roadway below.
While responders were still managing the aftermath of the initial crash
