Paige Cooke and Kristina Murphy Obituary, TOLLAND, Conn. — Paige Cooke, 29, of Manchester, New Hampshire, and Kristina Murphy, 28, of Wilmington, Massachusetts, have died following a fatal crash involving a Kia Sportage and a dump truck on Interstate 84 in Tolland, Connecticut, on Wednesday night, August 19.
According to Connecticut State Police, the two women were traveling westbound on I-84 when the Kia Sportage they were in struck the rear of a dump truck traveling in the right lane of the highway. The collision was indicated at approximately 10:40 p.m., prompting emergency crews and troopers from Connecticut State Police Troop C to respond to the scene.
Police identified Cooke as the driver of the Kia and Murphy as her passenger. Both women suffered fatal injuries in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene by responding emergency personnel.
The preliminary inquiry discovered that a 2006 Mack CV700 dump truck, operated by 51-year-old Kwame Stewart of Manchester, was traveling westbound in the right lane of the three-lane highway. The Kia Sportage was traveling directly behind the dump truck when it struck the rear of the vehicle for reasons that remain under investigation.
The crash caused disabling damage to both vehicles. Stewart suffered possible injuries and was transported to Hartford Hospital for evaluation. Officials have not released further information regarding his condition.
Connecticut State Police have not confirmed whether speed, impairment, or any other factors contributed to the collision. Investigators continue to review the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine what led to the Kia striking the dump truck.
Agencies are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could assist with the investigation to contact Connecticut State Police Trooper Ryan Crawford #1212 at Troop C at 860-896-3222, extension 8047, or by email at Ryan.Crawford@ct.gov.
The deaths of Paige Cooke and Kristina Murphy remain under probe as spokespeople work to gather additional details about the tragic Tolland I-84 collision. Their passing marks a devastating loss for their families and communities, and condolences are extended to those affected by their deaths.
