Driver charged after trooper, firefighter struck on Route 9 in Cromwell

CROMWELL, CT (WFSB) - A driver was charged after a plowing into a state trooper and firefighter, both of whom were on the scene of a rollover crash on Route 9 in Cromwell.

Route 9 south in Cromwell was closed on Wednesday morning because of both the rollover and subsequent incident.

State police released dashcam video of the driver, identified as John Chidiadi of Manchester, whom now has been charged with several motor vehicle violations.

You can watch footage of the crash below:

The highway has since reopened.

The Department of Transportation said the closure was between exits 20N and 19.

It was first reported around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Troopers said that their preliminary investigation showed that just before that time, the rollover happened in the area of exit 22S. Minor injuries were reported in that case.

While on the scene, the trooper and firefighter were struck by another driver around 7:45 a.m.

State police said the driver, who was identified as Chidiadi, lost control of his car and struck the trooper and firefighter.

Injuries were reported in that incident. Both were transported to a local hospital.

“What were seeing on our roadways is very dangerous. The rates of speed, the rates of impaired driving, the rates of distracted driving,” said Josh Morgan, Connecticut Department of Transportation. “It’s important that our first responders, our police, fire, our towing companies, our DOT employees, have the room and the space to work so they can clear an incident quickly and safely.”

Cromwell’s fire chief, Jason Brady, identified the firefighter as 21-year-old Jon Bicking. Bicking was in the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Bicking will be 22 on Friday.

“We’re super fortunate it wasn’t worse than it was. It could’ve easily been worse,” Brady said.

State police said the trooper, identified as William Atkins, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Chidiadi was released on a $1,000 bond, according to police.

For real-time traffic updates, check the Channel 3 traffic map here.

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