EAST LYME, Conn. -- A survivor of the Interstate 95 crash that left three people dead told Eyewitness News from her hospital bed Monday that she's thankful to be alive.

Samirah Clough was seriously injured Friday when the car she was driving was slammed by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 in East Lyme.

Crash Survivor Describes I-95 Chaos | I-95 Crash Victim Remembered

Clough, a teacher, said she was traveling to a conference with a friend at the time of the crash.

"Out of the corner of my eye I saw a big, huge truck that was coming at us," she said Monday as she recovered from her wounds in her hospital room. "I said, 'Oh my God.'"

Clough said that she is happy to have survived the crash.

Three people were killed after witnesses said a tanker truck crossed the median and crashed into oncoming traffic.

"I was scared for my two boys and my husband and I said, 'What if they see this and they see me, and I'm not dead.'" Clough said.

Clough said she remembers gallons of fuel pouring out of the truck.

"God was really with us -- really," she said.

The Department of Environmental Protection continued to clean fuel at the crash site on Monday.

"As far as the long-term effects -- it's going to clean up relatively quickly," said Jeff Chandler of the DEP.

It was estimated that the tanker leaked 8,500 gallons of diesel fuel. The fuel leaked into Latimer Brook, which flows into Long Island Sound.

A co-worker of one of those killed in the crash told Eyewitness News that he called the victim Friday morning to warn him about the traffic backup caused by the crash.

Barry Baker said that Fred Held was a friend to everyone who knew him.

Baker said that Held, 33, worked as a bartender at Baker's Bar and Grill on New Haven Avenue in Milford for the past 10 years.

"I had talked to him the night before and he was at the casino, so I called him when I heard about the accident to tell him not to go that way, and of course there was no answer. By 3, I hadn't heard from him and he wasn't here and I knew it was bad," Baker said.

Baker said that a reception was scheduled at the restaurant following Held's funeral on Monday.

"His sister and brother rented out the restaurant and it's going to be a big party because that's what Fred wanted," he said.

Local and state lawmakers called on the governor's office Monday to take immediate action in improving the congestion along Interstate 95 throughout southeast Connecticut.

A member of the state Transportation Committee told Eyewitness News that Gov. Jodi Rell has the authority to install new Jersey barriers and order line-striping along the stretch of highway.

"Every day -- be thankful, count your blessings to live your day, every minute of your time to the fullest," Clough said.

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