From the Hartford Courant

Fatal Crash On I-84 In Southington

By HILDA MUÑOZ
Courant Staff Writer

May 9, 2008, 1:46 PM EDT

SOUTHINGTON -- The victim of a fatal car crash on I-84 East this morning has been identified by police as a 50-year-old man from Southington.

Joseph Matczak, of 61 Lowery Drive, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash east of exit 32, state police said.

The driver the other vehicle, 29-year-old Frank Labarbera, was not injured in the accident at 5 a.m., state police said.

The two cars – a 2007 Jeep Commander and a 1996 Mazda B2300 – collided, propelling Labarbera's Mazda across a couple of lanes and into a metal guardrail on the right shoulder.

The Jeep, driven by Matczak, skidded sideways and flipped over several times, struck a metal guide wire and hit a tree in the center median before landing on its roof, state police said.

Witnesses to the crash are asked to call State Police Troop H at (860)534-1000.