24-year-old caused crash that closed part of I-84 in Manchester

MANCHESTER, Conn. (WFSB) - I-84 Westbound was closed between Exits 60 and 61 because of an overturned tractor-trailer, according to the CT Department of Transportation.

The Manchester Fire Department said they responded to the Buckland Street overpass for a FedEx tandem tractor-trailer that was involved in an accident on the highway.

Dario Freire Alves was driving the truck westbound in the center lane approximately 1/2 mile west of the mentioned exits.

A Volkswagen was also traveling westbound in the left lane when it veered into the center lane, striking the truck.

The driver of the Volkswagen was identified as 24-year-old Christopher Xavier Gillespie from Rocky Hill.

Due to the impact, Freire Alves lost control of the tractor-trailer.

“The truck broke through the guard rail and was hanging off the side of the overpass for a short while,” the fire department said.

The accident caused a fire and a significant fuel spill.

An ambulance that was passing by was able to put out the fire before the fire department arrived.

Freire Alves was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.

Gillespie was found at fault for the incident.

He was issued an infraction for failure to maintain a lane, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance.