Fiery Crashes on Merritt Parkway Leave One Dead, Trooper's Cruiser Destroyed

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Connecticut State Police have released body cam footage capturing a series of fiery crashes on Route 15 in New Canaan that left one person dead and a state trooper's vehicle destroyed. The initial crash was reported around 10:20 PM on Tuesday, with a second collision occurring around 11:50 PM when a passing motorist struck the trooper's cruiser that was on the scene, causing it to catch fire as well.

Why it matters

The tragic incidents highlight the dangers first responders face when attending to accidents on busy highways, as well as the need for increased safety measures and driver awareness around emergency vehicles. The crashes also raise questions about the factors that may have contributed to the initial single-vehicle accident that turned fatal.

The details

According to officials, the first crash involved a single vehicle that caught fire. While state troopers were on the scene investigating, a 17-year-old New Canaan resident crashed into the trooper's cruiser, which then burst into flames. The driver of the vehicle that struck the cruiser was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the state trooper standing outside the vehicle at the time was uninjured. The identity of the individual who died in the initial crash is still being confirmed by authorities.

• The first crash was reported around 10:20 PM on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.
• The second crash involving the state police cruiser occurred around 11:50 PM on the same night.

What’s next

State police continue to investigate the factors that led to the initial single-vehicle crash, as well as the circumstances surrounding the second collision that destroyed the trooper's cruiser.