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*UPDATED: The driver of an 18-wheeler survived a grisly crash and truck fire Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 95 north between exits 18 and 19, near the Westport-Fairfield border.
Firefighters from the Westport and Fairfield fire departments responded to the call, which came in at about 3 p.m.
Fairfield Fire Department Assistant Chief Doug Chavenello, who led the first team on the scene, said he was surprised the driver had escaped with only minor injuries. I pulled up and I was looking for the body, Chavenello said.
The trucks driver told emergency responders that he hit the back of a car-carrier, damaging his truck. The driver of the other truck apparently did not notice the accident and continued driving. No other cars were involved in the crash, Chavenello said.
Westport Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Kingsbury said about 25 gallons of oil was spilled in the accident, which firefighters worked to contain. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and a Department of Transportation sand truck were called in to assist firefighters with the oil cleanup.
Paramedics took the truck driver to St. Vincents Medical Center for treatment. Traffic was slowed on the northbound side of the highway for about 30 minutes while crews cleared the wreckage.
Stuck behind an accident on your commute? Send photos and details to gcanuel@mainstreetconnect.us or vanessainz@mainstreetconnect.us to spread the word. Or send traffic updates to our Facebook and Twitter pages to help out your neighbors.
(*This story was updated at 7 p.m. to reflect information from the Westport Fire Department.)
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