WALLINGFORD, CT – Tragedy struck on a Connecticut highway Friday when a Department of Transportation (DOT) employee was fatally hit by a vehicle while on duty. The incident occurred on the Wharton Brook Connector, an on-ramp to Interstate 91, where 26-year-old Andrew DiDomenico from Meriden was working.
State police reported that DiDomenico was picking up trash on the shoulder of the exit 13 on-ramp in preparation for mowing crews when a vehicle veered off the road and hit him around 9:17 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have taken the offending driver into custody, but the person’s identity and potential charges have not been disclosed.
Connecticut DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto and Connecticut Employees Union Independent President Carl Chisem confirmed the shocking news. “Our entire agency is heartbroken by Andrew’s tragic death,” Eucalitto shared in a statement. He appealed to the public to slow down and pay attention to the roads to make commuting safe for everyone.
Affected ramps on I-91 North and South exit 13 are currently closed to traffic due to the ongoing investigation. The state police are urging anyone with information, including dash camera footage related to the incident, to contact Trooper Daniel McCue at Troop I.