A Connecticut State Police trooper was listed in stable condition at Hartford Hospital after being hit on I-91N in Hartford Thursday night.
He was hit while assisting a pedestrian in removing debris from the travel lanes.
This accident brings forth a reminder of a little-known law that took effect in Connecticut in 2009 to protect emergency responders.
It’s called the move over law. It was expanded this past legislative session and features two basic parameters: that motorists shall (1) immediately reduce speed to a reasonable level below the posted speed limit and (2) move such motor vehicle over one lane, unless such movement would be unreasonable or unsafe.
Thursday night, just after 7 p.m., State Trooper Michael Quaglioroli stopped his vehicle on I-91N, near exit 33. That section of the highway has four lanes, and he was parked in the third from the left. He turned on his emergency lights and got out of his vehicle to assist a motorist, who was trying to remove his pickup truck bed liner from the highway.
While walking on the road he and Aaron Altenhein, 35, of Enfield, were struck by a car driven by Ilona Gladu-Perez, 65, of West Haven. Perez cooperated with police and was not cited.
Quagliaroli, who graduated from the State Police Academy in January, suffered head injuries and multiple fractures. Altenhein, who was transported to St. Francis Hospital, sustained only minor injuries.
According to the accident information summary, Gladu-Perez hit the two as she was driving two lane to the left of where the cruiser was parked, which complies with the law.
The last CSP trooper killed in the line of duty was Trooper Kenneth Hall, who, on September 2, 2010, was making a routine traffic stop in Enfield when his car was hit from behind.
Section 14-283b of the Connecticut General Statutes also notes that it’s not just emergency vehicles motorists are required to move over for. Maintenance vehicles and tow trucks require the same courtesy.
To read the law, in its entirety, click on the link below.