Wrong way driver causes crash, road closures

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police say an elderly woman was driving the wrong way on Route 15 when she hit two cars and a tractor trailer. The crash shut down Route 15 and I-91 northbound.

The multi-car crash happened at 9:45 a.m. near the connector of I-91 and I-691 in Meriden. Route 15 runs along the same stretch.

• Click here to hear the wrong way driver reported

Police say 70-year-old Janice A. Tasko was driving south on Route 15 north when she sideswiped a tractor trailer, causing the truck to jackknife. The driver, 42- year-old Sandy Martinez, was not injured.

Tasko then collided head on with a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The driver, 45-year-old David Santora, is West Hartford police officer. He was off-duty at the time of the crash. This collision caused Tasko's car to hit a third vehicle, driven by 50-year-old Philip Click.

Tasko, Santora and Click all had to be extricated from their cars.

• Photos: Crash closes Route 15, I-91

LifeStar was called in to transport Tasko, while Santora and Click were transported by ambulance to Hartford Hospital. Their injuries were initially reported as serious, but were later downgraded to non-life threatening.  

Tasko is currently listed in serious condition, while Santora is in good condition.

Around 10:40 a.m. I-91 was cleared and reopened, and Route 15 opened just before 2 p.m.

The crash is under investigation.