SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was killed in a crash on Interstate 84 eastbound Thursday near Exit 31 in Southington after being struck by a pickup truck around 2:36 p.m.
An escort for Pelletier will be held at noon Friday, taking him from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington to the Della Vecchia Funeral Home at North Main Street in Southington.
Pelletier was assigned to Troop H in Hartford. On Thursday afternoon, he was on duty working overtime funded by a "high-visibility motor vehicle enforcement grant," according to Sgt. Luke Davis of the CSP Public Information Office during a press conference that evening.
Pelletier was traveling in the left lane and observed a driver traveling in the right lane without a seatbelt, Davis said. He moved to the right lane, activated his emergency lights and siren and made a traffic stop just prior to Exit 31.
Davis said that the driver complied with Pelletier's signal to stop and moved their vehicle into the right shoulder of I-84 eastbound. Pelletier generated a traffic stop event on his in-car computer and approached the vehicle.
After Pelletier spoke briefly with the driver, a red pickup truck traveling in the right lane began to approach Pelletier's location on the right shoulder, Davis said.
"Preliminary information shows that the right-side wheels of the pickup were completely over the dividing line into the shoulder. (The pickup truck) sideswiped TFC Pelletier’s cruiser and struck TFC Pelletier in the shoulder while he was speaking with the operator of the vehicle he had stopped," Davis said during the press conference.
The driver of the pickup truck failed to stop and continued traveling eastbound on I-84, according to Davis, who said that several witnesses to the collision called 911 and provided troopers with valuable information.
"The operator of the pickup truck eventually came to a stop in the area of Exit 39A, which was a result of the vehicle becoming disabled. The evading operator is currently in state police custody," Davis said.
Troopers responded to the scene, where Pelletier was pronounced dead, Davis said. The investigation is ongoing and anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage is asked to contact Troop H in Hartford at 860-534-1000.
State police have not yet announced the name of the individual in custody. Davis thanked the state police's law enforcement partners, fellow first responders and the public for their outpouring of support.
During the press conference, 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 left behind a wife and two young children.
“TFC Pelletier served the state of Connecticut with honor and integrity and he will not be forgotten," Loughman said. "Aaron was a son, he was a brother and he was a friend to every man and woman who wears this uniform. I’m honored to have known and worked with Aaron. I’m heartbroken for his wife and young children and the rest of his family."
Delays are expected as officials investigate the two-vehicle crash that shut down both sides of Interstate 84 in Southington. The highway has since reopened.
No other information was immediately made available. This is a developing story.
MORE NEWS
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.