Tire Strikes Car In Fatal Crash In Milford; ID Released: State Police

MILFORD, CT — A fatal crash closed parts of I-95 Sunday night into Monday morning, according to state police.

The accident occurred at 10:23 p.m. on I-95 southbound in Milford, closing both sides of the highway near exit 41.

A Toyota RAV4 was driving in the left lane when a tire detached from a pickup truck on the other side of the highway crossed over the concrete barrier in the median.

The tire then struck the Toyota's windshield and roof. The SUV veered right, crossing all lanes and striking the metal beam guardrail in the right shoulder before crossing back across the highway and coming to a rest in the center median.

Catherine Palaia, 24, of Stratford, was declared dead at the scene of the accident, according to state police.

The two people in the pickup truck were not injured.

The highway was closed for seven hours.

The Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Squad, the Department of Transportation and the Milford Fire Department responded to assist with the investigation, which remains ongoing.

Anyone with information on the accident can contact Troop G at 203-696-2500.