Date: Fri 22-May-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

truck-rollover-Route-34

Full Text:

Truck Rollover Creates Day-Long Tie-Up On Route 34

(with cuts)

An overturned tractor-trailer truck tied up traffic on Route 34 all day, May

20, making the already tedious commute along the state road more of a trial

than usual for motorists.

Back roads in the vicinity quickly began to clog as well, as drivers looked in

vain for traffic-free shortcuts around the accident.

Nathaniel Sessions, 26, of 12 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, was driving a

truckload of wire westbound on Route 34 near Zoar Road about 4:50 am Wednesday

when, while rounding a left curve in the road, the vehicle started going out

of control, according to police.

The trailer rolled onto its right side, and slid until it came to rest against

some trees along the westbound road shoulder, police said. Mr Sessions climbed

out of the damaged cab and complained of leg pain. Newtown Volunteer Ambulance

Corps staffers transported him to Danbury Hospital where he was treated and

released.

The Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company also responded to the crash

scene.

Route 34 was closed to traffic in both directions for more than two hours. One

travel lane was opened to traffic about 7:30 am, police said.

Before the crashed truck could be removed, it had to be unloaded of its cargo

of copper wire.

The road was reopened to two-way traffic at 9:45 pm, 16 hours after the crash

occurred.

The accident is under investigation.