A series of unfortunate events unfolded on Interstate 95 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Monday night, leading to a 10-vehicle collision and the arrest of a truck driver. The culprit? Leaking human waste.
Around 10:30 p.m., a tractor-trailer driven by Shaky Joseph began leaking its unsavory cargo onto the northbound lanes of I-95, creating treacherous driving conditions. This resulted in a chain reaction of accidents involving ten vehicles, including two Connecticut State Police cruisers. The cruisers were unoccupied at the time, parked with emergency lights activated while troopers assisted other motorists involved in the initial crashes caused by the slippery roadway.
This image, released by the Connecticut State Police, depicts the damage sustained by one of the police cruisers involved in the incident. (AP/Connecticut State Police)
Witnesses reported the name of the trucking company, H.I. Stone & Son, to authorities. Police contacted the company, who in turn instructed Joseph to pull over. However, Joseph disregarded the instruction and exited the highway onto local streets, leading to his subsequent arrest. He faces charges of Unsecured Load, Reckless Driving, and 12 counts of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree.
Shaky Joseph, the driver of the truck responsible for the incident. (Connecticut State Police)
One of the accidents involved a tractor-trailer losing control on the slick roadway and colliding with a parked police cruiser, which then impacted a second cruiser. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in any of the collisions.
Two Connecticut State Police vehicles were damaged in the crashes. (Connecticut State Police)
The northbound lanes of I-95 were closed for approximately three hours while crews cleaned the roadway. Several agencies, including the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, the Bridgeport Police and Fire Department, and Connecticut State Police Troop I, responded to the scene.
Joseph was released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 8.
