Tolland, CT (August 21, 2026) – Two women were killed, and one man was injured on Wednesday night, August 19, in a crash involving a Kia Sportage and a dump truck on westbound Interstate 84 near Exit 68. The collision happened at approximately 10:45 p.m.
Investigators said the Kia struck the rear of a Mack dump truck for reasons that had not yet been determined. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage.
The two women traveling in the Kia, ages 29 and 28, were pronounced dead at the scene. The dump truck driver was hurt, but the extent of his injuries was not released.
Westbound Interstate 84 was shut down at Exit 69 while crews worked at the scene and later reopened. The cause of the crash remains under review.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the two women who died, and we hope the injured driver recovers fully.
How Vehicle Size Differences Affect Rear-End Impacts
Dump trucks are much heavier and taller than most passenger vehicles. When a smaller vehicle strikes the rear of one, the size and weight difference can create substantial forces for the occupants of the car.
The front of the passenger vehicle may absorb much of the impact, increasing the risk of serious head, chest, spinal, and internal injuries. Vehicle height differences can also affect how crash forces move through the smaller vehicle.
Travel speed, impact angle, restraint use, vehicle structure, and the amount of deformation can all influence injury severity. High-speed highway crashes involving heavy trucks can be especially dangerous because there may be little time to reduce speed before impact.