NORWICH – Traffic was slowed for the mid-morning commute along a stretch of State highway 12 just north of the city Wednesday as emergency personnel and State Troopers responded to a two-vehicle MVC shortly after 8 a.m.

The City of Norwich Fire Department was toned out to the incident, arriving to the scene in less than two minutes, according to dispatch records.

According to Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, a motorist operating a Blue Ford Taurus was traveling eastbound, descending the hill at the base of Calvary Drive and entered the intersection, crossing oncoming traffic on State highway 12.

A maroon Jeep Compass with two occupants traveling southbound on highway 12 collided broadside into the drivers side of the blue Ford, the impact of which forced the smaller vehicle completely off the east shoulder of the highway. The impact also triggered air bag deployment in the larger vehicle.