[A] tractor trailer accident Sunday on I-89 near the Middlesex exit killed a father and son.
Peter Belanger, 46, of Sutton, was driving a 2018 Freightliner tractor trailer unit carrying several thousand gallons of fuel in the southbound lane when his vehicle veered across the median, crossed the northbound lane, rolled and slid on the passenger side of the vehicle into a steep embankment, police said.
The cab sustained “massive” damage, according to the Vermont State Police, who say “the passenger door was torn off, the driver door ripped open and the roof was torn off.”
Belanger was ejected from the truck. His 15-year-old son Andrew was pinned in the cab. Both died at the scene, police said.
The tank was damaged in the crash, spilling thousands of gallons of fuel on the highway. The EPA and the Accuworks Hazardous Response team will clean up the fuel and evaluate damage to the environment.
The highway, both lanes between exits 9 (Middlesex) and 8 (Montpelier), were shut down from shortly after 2:30 p.m. Sunday, when the accident occurred, until 1:40 a.m. Monday, according to a statement from the Vermont State Police.
The Middlesex Fire Department, Berlin Fire Department, Waterbury Fire Department, Vermont Hazardous Response Team, Vermont Agency of Transportation and Montpelier Police responded to the scene to assist the state police.
The investigation into the accident is ongoing, police said.
