April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Connecticut State Troopers this week shared a disturbing example of the havoc that can occur when operators don’t pay attention.
Late Tuesday night, March 31, Troopers responded to a fatal crash on Route 15 Northbound in Stamford.
After troopers set up a pattern to close Route 15 for an investigation of a fatal collision, a driver sped through the flare pattern and struck a state police cruiser, which immediately burst into flames. March 31, 2026 Photo CT State Police
Troopers set up a pattern to close the road for the investigation, stationing cruisers with lights flashing and flares set in the road to alert drivers to exit Route 15 before the closure.
Despite these precautions by CT State Police, a driver sped through the flares and struck a state police cruiser, which immediately burst into flames.
Fortunately, the Trooper was not inside the cruiser. The Trooper witnessed the impact and quickly ran to the operator’s vehicle to render medical assistance for non-life threatening injuries.
“Please, please do not drive distracted. Many lives depend on all drivers directing their full attention to the road,” CT State Police said.
After troopers set up a pattern to close Route 15 for an investigation of a fatal collision, a driver sped through the flare pattern and struck a state police cruiser, which immediately burst into flames. March 31, 2026 Photo CT State Police
After troopers set up a pattern to close Route 15 for an investigation of a fatal collision, a driver sped through the flare pattern and struck a state police cruiser, which immediately burst into flames. March 31, 2026 Photo CT State Police
See also:
Connecticut Dept of Transportation Announces Distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign