Crash closes Berlin Turnpike in Newington

NEWINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- A section of the Berlin Turnpike in Newington was closed early Friday because of a crash.

A Newington police officer was driving behind a tractor trailer on the Berlin Turnpike around 4:30 a.m. when the big rig stopped at the traffic light at the intersection with Prospect Street. That's when the officer noticed a Honda Civic approaching at a high rate of speed.

In an effort to avoid a collision, the cruiser moved to the right lane, but the Civic struck the cruiser in the left side rear as well as the back of the tractor trailer.

Route 15 heading south was closed between Route 287 and Prospect Street for several hours and only one lane heading north was open while crews were on the scene. The road was reopened around 7:30 a.m.

The officer was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. The tractor trailer driver was not injured.

The driver of the Civic had to be extricated from his car and was also taken to a nearby hospital.

The crash is under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Ofc. Ryan Deane at 860-594-6204, reference case #I20122859.