Tractor-trailer plunges off I-95; driver killed

Stonington -- The driver of a tractor-trailer was killed Saturday morning when his truck plunged off Interstate 95 just past the Exit 91 off-ramp, tumbled down an embankment onto Taugwonk Road and burst into flames.

The truck, according to state police, was carrying staging for tonight's Carrie Underwood concert at MGM Grand at Foxwoods. The show, a Foxwoods spokesman said, was still on.

I-95 northbound was shut down for most of the morning and afternoon, with vehicles being diverted at Exit 88 in Groton onto Route 117 to Route 184 and permitted to re-enter the highway at Exit 92 in Pawcatuck. One lane of traffic is now being allowed to pass the accident scene, but Taugwonk Road is still closed.

State police said the incident happened at 8 a.m. Preliminary observations indicate, one officer at the scene said, that the driver fell asleep because there didn't appear to be any skid marks on the highway surface.

By 8:30 a.m., the truck was a smoldering heap of debris, and police and fire personnel at the scene said the driver, a man, was still in the cab. It was not clear who owned the truck.

The driver's identity, police said, would not be released until it is confirmed and relatives are notified. No other details were released.