GROTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A driver accused of causing a fuel tanker rollover that left one person dead and two others injured on the Gold Star Bridge last April turned himself in to State Police Wednesday.

Reginald Collins, 59, of New London, was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, operating an unregistered vehicle, illegally operating a motor vehicle with no minimum insurance, and improper highway use.

He did not make his bond of $25,000 and was transported to GA 10 for his arraignment on Wednesday.

State police said a Toyota Avalon’s tire blew out around 11:15 a.m. while on the Interstate 95 bridge on April 21, 2023.

The blowout caused the vehicle to swerve into the right acceleration lane on the southbound side and subsequently in front of a merging home heating oil delivery truck.

The fuel tanker hit the back of the passenger vehicle, causing the truck to roll over and burst into flames. The fire spread to the Avalon and portions of the bridge.

The driver of the tanker was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was identified by authorities as 42-year-old Wallace Fauquet III of Gales Ferry. Officials said he worked for McCarthy Heating Oil Service out of Quaker Hill.

Lt. Cornelius Rogers with the New London Police Department was off-duty when he came upon the crash and joined a group of good Sarmatians rendering aid.

Two passengers and the driver of the Avalon were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to an arrest warrant, the cause of the crash was determined to be that Collins created a traffic hazard by “remaining stationary in the right acceleration lane and failing to move the vehicle out of the travel lane to a safe location.”

The report said Collins had his four tires changed to used ones the morning of the crash and drove his car to test them. During the drive, the car’s steering “felt funny,” and the car began to jump, so he moved into a different lane.

He reported stopping in the far right lane and noticed the front left tire was shredded. Soon after getting back into the car, it was struck by the truck.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.