FAIRFIELD, Conn. (WFSB) – Connecticut Department of Transportation employee Elvin Hernandez, 60, was killed Friday morning when he was struck by a motor vehicle while doing road maintenance work on Interstate 95 in Fairfield, according to Gov. Ned Lamont’s office. A Derby man has since been charged with manslaughter in connection with the crash, according to state police.
Hernandez had worked for CTDOT since 2010 and was based out of the agency’s Stratford garage, according to the governor’s office.
How the crash happened
Troop G received 911 calls of a car driving erratically on I-95 South near Exit 24 in Fairfield at around 10:35 a.m. on September 25, according to state police.
Police said a CTDOT Ford F350 dump truck, operated by Horasio Lopez, was parked on the right shoulder of I-95 South near Exit 20. Hernandez, a passenger in the truck, exited the vehicle for debris removal.
At that time, a 2006 Buick Lucerne driven by 60-year-old Edward Myers entered the grassy right shoulder behind the truck and collided with Hernandez, police said.
60-year-old Edward Myers.(CSP)
Life-saving measures were attempted at the scene, but Hernandez was transported to Bridgeport Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Police said a next of kin death notification was made.
Lopez, the driver of the DOT truck, was transported to St. Vincent’s Medical Center with suspected minor injuries.
Driver showed signs of impairment, police say
Police said Myers showed multiple indicators of impairment at the scene, including poor coordination, low and slow speech, severe disorientation and constricted pupils.
Myers was evaluated for minor injuries at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, where police said he admitted to snorting heroin before the crash. Police said a plastic baggie containing a white, pebble-like substance was found in Myers’ jacket pocket, which he admitted was freebase cocaine.
Myers underwent a drug influence evaluation and was determined to be under the influence, according to police.
Charges filed
Myers was transported to Troop G and charged with manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle, operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol (second offense), illegal operation without an ignition interlock device, possession of a controlled substance (third offense), and failure to maintain proper lane.
Myers was unable to post his $750,000 cash bond and was transported to Bridgeport Correctional Center. He is scheduled to appear at GA-2 Bridgeport Superior Court on September 28.
Flags to be lowered
Lamont plans to order flags lowered to half-staff to coincide with Hernandez’s funeral, though a date has not been set, according to his office. The governor’s office said it will notify the public when the lowering will take effect.
State leaders offer condolences
“It is with incredible sadness today that we are mourning the loss of Connecticut state employee Elvin Hernandez, who was struck and killed while working on the job in a heartbreaking tragedy that never should have happened,” Lamont said. “CTDOT workers face dangerous situations while performing their jobs because of drivers who aren’t paying attention to road conditions and speeding through work zones. I am imploring every single driver to show CTDOT and all other road maintenance workers and first responders respect and slow down whenever you see them working on our roads. My prayers are with Elvin’s family, friends, and CTDOT colleagues. Connecticut state government is grieving one of our employees who dedicated themselves to serving the public.”
“I’m heartbroken to learn of the passing of one of our dedicated public servants, Elvin Hernandez,” Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said. “This tragedy is a stark reminder of the immense danger our CTDOT workers face in their jobs each day. They work tirelessly to ensure that our highways and roadways are clean, safe, and reliable—we should all do more to ensure that they make it home safely. To our drivers—reduce your speeds, remove distractions, never drive under the influence, and remain cautious in work zones. My thoughts and prayers are with Elvin’s family, friends, and CTDOT colleagues.”
“We are heartbroken by Elvin Hernandez’s tragic death,” CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. “What happened today on I-95 in Fairfield is a senseless tragedy. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who loved them. Today’s tragedy is the nightmare scenario that every CTDOT employee and highway worker fears. Elvin was killed while simply doing their job and their life was cut short because of a driver’s actions. Sadness and anger do not fully capture how our agency feels today. The complete disregard that some motorists continue to show our employees, first responders, and those working on the roadside is disgraceful. The moral outrage the 3,300 men and women of this agency are feeling in this moment is entirely justified because their lives are constantly being put in jeopardy. As we grieve Elvin, I am demanding that every driver in the state do their part to prevent another tragedy. Slow down, move over, put the phone away, and pay attention. Our workers deserve to go home safely at the end of their shift, and the public must do its part to ensure that happens.”
Union president responds
“Elvin Hernandez, a proud union member and CTDOT employee, was struck and killed in a work zone by a driver who chose to drive recklessly in a work zone. This loss did not have to happen,” said Carl R. Chisem, president of CEUI Local 511. “Elvin was more than a coworker. He was our brother. Our hearts are with his family, his friends, and every member who worked alongside him. Our members do dangerous work every day to keep Connecticut’s roads safe. But they can only be safe when drivers take their safety seriously. One reckless choice took Elvin’s life. Our union has fought for stricter work zone speeding laws and tougher enforcement. We have demanded that drivers put down their phones. We will keep fighting for our brothers and sisters. But laws alone are not enough. Drivers have to understand what’s at stake: when you speed through a work zone, you are putting lives at risk. Slow down. Put the phone down. Let our members get home to their families. We will never forget Brother Elvin. We will carry his name forward in this fight.”
Highway shut down for hours
Transportation officials said the crash forced the closure of I-95 south between exits 23 and 20, along with the exits 21, 22 and 23 onramps to the southbound highway.
State police said the crash also left others with serious injuries. Fairfield police said the closure triggered major backups both on the interstate and along the Post Road.
“Motorists are encouraged to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes if possible,” Fairfield police said. “Please use patience and caution, particularly as traffic volumes increase on local roads.”
Fairfield Public Schools said the crash could also delay school buses.
“Buses may be delayed this afternoon due to an accident on I-95, which is causing increased traffic on local roads throughout town,” the district said.
There’s no word on a cause for the crash.
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