Interstate 91 southbound was shut down for hours in Meriden on Monday afternoon after a tractor-trailer and petroleum tanker collided near exit 17.
The crash happened around 1:30 p.m. when a tractor-trailer rear ended a petroleum tanker that was stopped in traffic. Police said the tractor-trailer, driven by 45-year-old Arben Buzali, of Worcester, Mass., had "failed to maintain a proper distance" and couldn't stop in time.
Buzali was not injured. The driver of the tanker, James Condon, 54, of New Haven, struck his head and cut his hand in the crash but declined medical treatment, according to state police.
All southbound lanes were closed for several hours after the crash and traffic was diverted off exits 17 and 18, according to state police. The Interstate 691 off-ramp at exit 10 in Meriden was also shut down but has reopened.
Police said there are no spills, leaks or hazards as a result of the crash, but both vehicles were totaled.
The tanker was owned by Ginnetti Petroleum Transporters of East Haven, according to state police.
Buzali was issued an infraction for failure to maintain a proper distance.
Local
I-91 southbound had reopened by 6:30 p.m.
