Frank Jason Mute, 22, a Meriden resident, was killed Tuesday morning in a violent crash on Interstate 91 South near Exit 35B in Windsor, Connecticut. It happened around 11:15 a.m. on a busy stretch of highway known for steady commuter and truck traffic.
Connecticut State Police said Mute was driving a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 in the center lane when he collided with the rear of a 2020 Volvo VN tractor-trailer. The impact happened suddenly and left little time for reaction.
Troopers said the truck was being operated by a 31-year-old man from New Jersey. He was not injured in the crash and remained at the scene as authorities began their investigation.
Emergency responders arrived quickly after the collision. Mute suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The force of the impact caused major damage to the front of his vehicle.
The crash temporarily slowed traffic along Interstate 91 South, a key corridor that runs through the heart of Connecticut and connects communities from the shoreline up toward the Massachusetts border. Drivers in the area experienced delays as lanes were assessed and cleared.
Windsor, located just north of Hartford, is one of the state’s oldest towns and sits along a heavily traveled section of highway used by both local commuters and long-haul freight traffic. Exit 35B in particular serves a mix of regional and interstate drivers.
Mute lived in Meriden, a city roughly 25 miles south of the crash site. The route between Meriden and Windsor is a common travel path along central Connecticut’s highway network, linking residential areas with industrial and commercial zones.
Connecticut State Police remained on scene for hours collecting evidence, mapping vehicle positions, and speaking with witnesses. Investigators have not yet confirmed what caused the crash or whether any external factors contributed.
Authorities said the investigation remains active. They are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or captured it on dashcam footage to come forward.
