MERIDEN, Conn. -- Two tractor-trailer crashes were reported on Interstate 691 Tuesday morning.

One crash was reported on the westbound side of the highway in Southington just after 12 a.m. The second crash was reported on the eastbound side of the road between exits 5 and 6 in Meriden at about 3 a.m.

Eastbound traffic was still traveling slowly at 10 a.m. because of the crash, while the westbound lanes were clear.

Police said in the first crash, the driver of a tractor-trailer for Bozzutto's Food Distribution of Cheshire, said he swerved to avoid a deer. They said the truck then hit a guard rail and struck a bridge abutment. The tractor-trailer then ignited in flames, police said. The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Police said diesel fuel was spilled on the highway.

The second crash involved a two-car UPS truck, police said. They said the driver veered over two lanes before the truck went onto its side and into an embankment.

Police said they have not ruled out whether the driver of the second crash was distracted by the sight of the first crash on the opposite side of the highway.

Police said traffic was down to one lane, then not moving at all after the crashes. Both sides of the highway suffered damage and both UPS and Bozzutto's will be responsible for paying for the repairs.