A Connecticut state trooper was killed on Interstate 84 in Southington Thursday afternoon, according to state police.
Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was conducting a traffic stop on I-84 East near Exit 31 just after 2:30 p.m. when he was hit by a vehicle and killed, according to state police.
According to state police, Trooper Pelletier was working overtime as part of a high-visibility vehicle enforcement grant, meant to cut down on fatalities on Connecticut highways. He had pulled over a vehicle because the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
As Pelletier stood outside his cruiser talking to the driver, a red pickup truck drifted into the shoulder, sideswiped his cruiser, and struck Pelletier, killing him, police said.
The driver who hit Trooper Pelletier fled the scene, state police said. The driver was taken into custody a short time later near Exit 39A after the pickup became disabled. Police said they planned to release information about the driver at a later time.
TFC Pelletier was a nine-year veteran of the Connecticut State Police.
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"TFC Pelletier served the citizens of the state of Connecticut with an unwavering sense of dedication, pride and professionalism, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten, state police said in a release.
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The eastbound side of the highway was closed well into the evening hours Thursday. The westbound side opened around 7:30 p.m.
Hundreds of fellow troopers and police officers from around the state came to the scene Thursday evening and formed a procession that escorted Trooper Pelletier's body to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington.
At noon on Friday, the Connecticut State Police Traffic Services Unit will be escorting the body of Trooper First Class Pelletier from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington to Della Vecchia Funeral Home on North Main Street in Southington.
They will travel from Route 4 to I-84 West to exit 32 to Queen Street in Southington.
State police ask anyone who plans to witness the procession to do so from a safe location clear of the roadway.
Gov. Ned Lamont ordered flags lowered to half-staff to honor TFC Pelletier.
Trooper Pelletier leaves behind his wife, Dominique, and two young sons, Troy and Zachary, according to state police and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz.
