HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – The dump truck that caused a fiery, chain-reaction crash in Avon that killed four people in July was not covered by liability insurance, according to the trucking company’s insurer.

Bloomfield-based American Crushing and Recycling suspended its coverage for 12 tri-axle vehicles in January, according to court papers filed by Westbrook, Maine-based Acadia Insurance Co. Acadia paid back $40,000 to American Crushing after the coverage was suspended, according to court documents.

Two hours after the July 29 crash, the trucking company – through another insurance company – asked Acadia to resume the coverage retroactively to July 1, but did not mention the accident, according to court papers.

Acadia informed victims of the crash this week that it is requesting a court order stating it is not obligated to cover American Crushing’s old $1 million liability policy or its $2 million umbrella policy.

Eric Polinsky, an attorney for a man injured in the crash, said he is upset that state law does not require American Crushing and other commercial carriers to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles when coverage is suspended. Under state law, the DMV is notified when individuals have their motor vehicle insurance suspended.

“I think what the result is going to be is, mostly there is not going to be any insurance. This company is not going to be providing coverage for this accident,” said Polinsky, who would not identify his client. “And it’s sad to say, but the Motor Vehicles Department, the state, has to do a better job of protecting their citizens.”

DMV spokesman William Seymour said the agency will lobby the legislature to close the loophole in state law and require verification of commercial vehicle insurance.

“We have no records of their insurance because there is no requirement that the insurance be reported to us,” he said.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who also vowed to propose legislation to close the loophole, asked the chief state’s attorney to investigate American Crushing for any possible criminal activity for allowing the truck to be on the road without insurance.

“The more I learn about this company, the more enraged and horror-struck I become,” Rell said.

On July 29, at approximately 7:38 a.m., the 2000 Mack dump truck barreled out of control down Avon Mountain on Route 44 and smashed into 19 other vehicles – including a commuter bus – waiting at a traffic signal at the bottom of the hill.

Four people, including the driver of the truck, were killed. Four others were seriously injured. Police believe mechanical failure and possibly driver error caused the crash, which remains under investigation. The truck had a history of safety violations.

This week, Rell ordered the DMV to suspend the registrations of all trucks owned by American Crushing after one of its trucks was stopped last week for allegedly being overweight by more than 18,000 pounds.

A call to American Crushing was referred to the company’s lawyer, Hope Seeley. A telephone message seeking comment was left at her office.