Two Accidents, Six Cars

State police report two automobile accidents occurred near each other involving a total of six vehicles during a short period on the morning of September 20 on westbound Interstate-84 near Exit 9 in Hawleyville.

State police said a westbound 1986 Subaru station wagon driven by Josue Charles, 41, of Bridgeport, which was traveling in the left lane, was slowing for traffic when it was hit from behind by a 1992 Dodge Stealth driven by Charles D. Prahm, 23, of Torrington about 8:46 am.

The driver of the Subaru complained of stiffness but refused medical attention, state police said.

State police issued the driver of the Dodge a written warning for following too closely.

About 10 minutes later, while the state police investigation into the two-car accident was underway, four passing vehicles became involved in a second accident.

State police said westbound motorist John J. Mills, 39, of South Windsor, who was driving a 1992 Ford Crown Victoria, said he was distracted by the accident investigation underway on the highway median and did not see that traffic was stopping in front of him.

The Ford hit the rear end of a westbound 1999 Subaru station wagon driven by Emily C. Debolt, 27, of Cheshire, pushing the Subaru into the rear end of a 2001 Chevrolet coupe driven by Jeffrey C. Loreaux, 37, of Duxbury, Mass., in turn pushing the Chevrolet into a 1998 Ford van driven by Michael B. Skane, 43, of Woodbury. There were no injuries, state police said.

State police said Mills was following too closely.