Elvin Hernandez, 60, a Connecticut Department of Transportation worker, was killed this morning after being struck by a motor vehicle while performing road maintenance on Interstate 95 in Fairfield.
Hernandez had worked for CTDOT since 2010 and was based at the agency's Stratford garage.
State officials attributed the death to unsafe driving in work zones. Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto described it as "a senseless tragedy" and characterized it as the type of nightmare scenario highway workers face.
Governor Ned Lamont said drivers who speed through work zones and fail to pay attention create dangerous conditions for maintenance workers. He called on all drivers to exercise caution around maintenance crews and to slow down when they encounter roadwork.
The state will lower flags to half-staff in coordination with Hernandez's funeral services, which have not yet been determined.