CONNECTICUT, USA — Connecticut State Police have released the identity and charges of the man they say struck and killed Trooper Aaron Pelletier on Interstate 84.
Police have charged 44-year-old Alex Oyola-Sanchez with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, evading responsibility resulting in death, driving under the influence, and failing to drive in the proper lane, among several charges.
Oyola-Sanchez was held on a $5 million bond.
The crash happened Thursday around 2:45 p.m. when Pelletier stopped a vehicle on I-84 East in Southington. Both Pelletier and the car he had stopped pulled over to the right shoulder.
Pelletier was outside his vehicle, speaking with the car's driver, when a Chevrolet C1500 driven by Oyola Sanchez drove into the right shoulder from the right lane, police said.
The Chevrolet struck Pelletier's cruiser, then Pelletier, and then the car that Pelletier stopped.
State police said Oyola-Sanchez then continued to drive without stopping, evading the scene. Pelletier was pronounced dead at the scene, and Oyola-Sanchez was forced to stop in the area of exit 39A in Farmington after his tire failed.
Oyola-Sanchez was placed under arrest and is expected in court Friday.
During a press conference Thursday, Daniel Loughman, CSP's commanding officer, spoke highly of Pelletier. He said Pelletier entered the state police training academy on June 12, 2015, and was a member of the 125th training troop.
Upon graduating in December 2015, Pelletier was assigned to Troop H in Hartford, Loughman said.
"In addition to patrol, he held a variety of specialized assignments throughout his career, including as K9 handler attached to the emergency services unit," Loughman said, adding that Pelletier graduated from the CSP K9 Academy as part of the 223rd Patrol K9 Class in December 2021.
At the time of his death, Pelletier was still assigned to Troop H patrol with his K9 partner Roso, according to Loughman.
“Yesterday, we marked the 121st anniversary of the establishment of the Connecticut State Police. With great sorrow, I tell you that TFC Pelletier becomes the 26th Connecticut trooper to die in the line of duty," Loughman said during the press conference.
Loughman praised the professionalism, compassion, and dedication that Pelletier exhibited as a member of CSP and said that he had left behind a wife and two young children.
Gov. Ned Lamont ordered flags at half-staff in honor of Pelletier until an undetermined date.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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