Wrong-Way Driver Dies on I-95 in Waterford

A Stonington man in the midst of a “diabetic medical emergency” died in Waterford Friday evening after he drove the wrong way on I-95 and hit another car head-on, according to Connecticut State Police.

Manuel Souza, 72, of 315 Elm St., Stonington, died Friday at around 6:11 p.m. after police said he drove the wrong way on I-95 and caused three other cars to crash. The other three drivers were all transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

What Happened

At around 6:11 Friday evening, Souza was traveling northbound on I-95 South in Waterford in the area of exit 81 while experiencing a “diabetic medical emergency,” according to police. He first encountered a vehicle driven by Adam Nowakowski, 33, of Stonington, driving in the opposite direction. Nowakowski swerved to avoid Souza, but ran into a guardrail on the left shoulder of the highway.

Moments later a vehicle driven by Tsultrim Dorjee, 45, of Old Saybrook, was unable to avoid Souza, and the two vehicle smashed into each other head-on, according to police. A fourth vehicle driven by Tammy Epstein, 35, of North Stonington, was unable to stop in time and hit Dorjee’s and Souza’s vehicles, according to police.

Souza was transported to L + M Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The other three drivers were all transported to the hospital with reports of minor injuries, according to state police.