NOTE: This article has been updated with additional information not available at the time of the original post.

Last Friday, July 26, a tractor trailer jackknifed on Wasserman Way, resulting in the road being closed from Queen Street to Trades Lanes for several hours.

Around 8:20 am, Newtown Hook & Ladder firefighters were already en route to a reported spill on Wasserman Way when they were dispatched to a second call for a jackknifed tractor trailer blocking the roadway.

According to police on-scene, a white tractor trailer flatbed with no load was leaking fluid believed to be fuel into the roadway. That truck, a 2006 Peterbilt Conventional 379, was located with the help of an eyewitness and security cameras. The truck was operated by Jonathon Thomas McCarthy, 29, of Wolcott. The truck was leaking hydraulic fluid and it created slick road conditions on Wasserman Way.

Following behind McCarthy was Stanley Dankiw, 56, of Newington operating a 2004 Kenworth W900B. Dankiw’s trailer slipped in the hydraulic fluid, causing his truck to jackknife and block the entire roadway. Due to the jackknife, the saddle tank on Dankiw’s truck punctured and leaked diesel fuel onto the roadway.

Also involved in the incident was Deanna Forlastro, 31, of Stratford operating a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu LT. She lost control of her car and went off the westbound shoulder of Wasserman Way and came to rest in the grass. No injuries were reported on the scene.

Newtown Hook & Ladder sprung into action and ensured that no fluids were draining into the catch basins or Deep Brook. They spread Speedi-Dry over the fluid and hiked down the hill to ensure Deep Brook and the storm drains were not contaminated. Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue responded to the scene with their hazmat truck and deployed a saddle tank catch basin to contain the rest of the diesel fuel leaking from Dankiw’s trailer. Public Works sent out a sand truck to cover the remaining hydraulic fluid that trailed up Wasserman Way to the South Main Street intersection.

CT DEEP responded to the scene as well to further the environmental investigation. The crews worked together to clean the roadway of the fluids.

McCarthy was knowingly leaking hydraulic fluid and was issued a misdemeanor for reckless driving. Wasserman Way reopened around 3:30 on Friday afternoon.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.