STRATFORD, Fairfield County, Conn., Nov. 8, 2026 — Two people from Brooklyn, N.Y., died on Saturday, November 7, after their SUV crossed multiple lanes of Interstate 95 north and left the roadway in Stratford, according to Connecticut State Police.
The crash happened around 10:15 a.m. near the Exit 32 ramp on I-95 north. A preliminary investigation found the vehicle, a gray Mazda CX-9, had been traveling in the left lane when it crossed to the right across all lanes of traffic for reasons that have not been determined. The SUV then went onto the grass shoulder, struck a traffic sign support and hit a tree before coming to a stop.
The driver, identified by state police as 54-year-old Jeffrey Stein, and his passenger, 44-year-old Jessica Stein, were pronounced dead at the scene. Both were from Brooklyn.
The highway was shut down for several hours near Exit 32 while troopers worked the scene, and the closure backed up traffic onto nearby local roads. State police said the investigation remains open and have asked anyone with information to contact Troop G.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims.
More on Crashes in Stratford, CT
This fatal crash happened on Interstate 95 in Stratford, CT. We cover crashes across Fairfield County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Fairfield County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do fatal-crash investigations like this one typically take?
Reconstruction of a fatal crash can take weeks to months, especially when investigators are trying to determine why a vehicle left its lane. Toxicology results and data pulled from a vehicle's onboard systems frequently add to that timeline.
Does impairment usually play a role in crashes where a vehicle leaves the road?
It can, but so can fatigue, a medical event, distraction, or a mechanical failure. Investigators generally wait for toxicology and physical evidence before saying what caused a single-vehicle crash.
Where do fatal single-vehicle crashes most frequently happen?
They commonly occur on highways and other high-speed roads, where a vehicle that drifts out of its lane has less room to recover before hitting a fixed object such as a tree, signpost, or guardrail.
What makes a highway crash more likely to be fatal?
Higher speeds, a fixed object in the vehicle's path, and the absence of other vehicles to slow the impact all raise the odds that a crash becomes fatal rather than survivable.
