Two separate crashes involving car fires, including one that was fatal, shut down a northbound stretch of the Merritt Parkway for hours Tuesday night.

The first crash happened around 10:15 p.m. near exit 13 in New Canaan.

Police say a Honda Accord veered off the road and collided with a tree adjacent to the right shoulder. The crash caused the car to catch on fire.

Police say an unidentified female passenger was found inside the vehicle and died at the scene. The driver was taken to Norwalk Hospital with injuries described as non‑life‑threatening.

Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact the police at 203-696-2500.

A second crash occurred shortly before midnight near exit 10 in Stamford.

State police say a police cruiser with its emergency lights was parked in the roadway to block traffic from the earlier crash when another vehicle struck it. The cruiser became engulfed in flames.

The driver admitted to police that they were traveling faster than the speed limit when they hit the cruiser.

The trooper was not inside the vehicle at the time. That driver was taken to Stamford Hospital with non-life-threatening

The northbound lanes were closed for an extended period while crews cleared both scenes.