A quiet early Thursday morning turned tragic in Manchester, Connecticut, after a devastating crash along Interstate 84 claimed the life of a 22-year-old Hartford man. The sudden collision shut down major highway ramps for hours and left a community grieving a young life lost far too soon.
According to the Connecticut State Police, the crash happened just before 4 a.m. near Exit 62 on I-84 eastbound. Investigators said the incident involved a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer. At the time of the crash, the tractor-trailer was parked on the shoulder of the Exit 62 off-ramp. For reasons that are still under investigation, the car entered the ramp and struck the rear of the trailer.
Authorities identified the victim as Lucca Vinicius Sartori-Souza, 22, of Hartford. Police said his vehicle became wedged underneath the back of the trailer due to the force of the impact. The damage was severe, and emergency responders arrived quickly to assess the situation.
The Manchester Fire Department confirmed that Sartori-Souza was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said no other injuries were reported in connection with the crash. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not harmed. The scene remained active for several hours as crews worked to investigate and clear the wreckage.
The crash caused significant traffic disruptions during the early morning commute. The Connecticut Department of Transportation reported that the off-ramp to I-384 westbound at Buckland Street and Buckland Street Extension was closed, along with the off-ramp from I-84 west to Exit 62. Drivers were forced to seek alternate routes while authorities worked at the scene.
As the investigation continues, state police have not released details about what may have led to the collision. Troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information to come forward. Meanwhile, family, friends, and neighbors in Hartford and Manchester are mourning the heartbreaking loss of a young man whose life ended in a tragic moment on a dark stretch of highway.
