A Hartford man has been arrested in connection with the death of a Connecticut State Police trooper who was killed Thursday by an alleged hit-and-run driver as he conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 84, state police said.
Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 44, of 584 Zion St., Hartford, was being held in lieu of $5 million bail, state police said. That amount was lowered to $1.5 million when he appeared in court Friday. He is due back in court on June 6.
Oyola-Sanchez is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, failure to drive in the proper lane, evading responsibility in a case involving death, failure to renew registration, operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, and failure to move over for an emergency vehicle, state police records show.
State police have said Oyola-Sanchez drove away from the scene of the crash after Pelletier was hit.
The fatal crash left hundreds, if not thousands, of family, friends, troopers, police officers, officials and state residents in mourning Thursday.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart that the Connecticut State Police announces the line of duty death of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier #536 of Troop H-Hartford,” state police said in a statement Thursday.
PHOTOS: Escort for CT trooper killed by hit-and-run driver
Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said Friday, “I join with New Britain Judicial District State’s Attorney Christian M. Watson, Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott and the entire Division of Criminal Justice in expressing our deepest condolences to the family, the law enforcement brothers and sisters, and friends of Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, who was killed in the line of duty on Thursday.”
“Trooper First Class Pelletier’s senseless death is a bitter reminder to us all of the life-and-death risks brave public servants like Trooper First Class Pelletier face when they go to work,” Griffin said. “The Division stands today and every day in support of all our courageous law enforcement officers in Connecticut who put their own lives on the line to serve and protect and keep our communities safe.”
“Please join us in showing our gratitude and support to all law enforcement officers, and at this time particularly those with the Connecticut State Police, as we all mourn the tragic loss of Trooper First Class Pelletier and pray for peace for his family and friends.”
The agency said that just after 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Pelletier was on a traffic stop on I-84 east in Southington, just before Exit 31 when he was was struck outside of his cruiser by a passing vehicle, “which evaded the scene.”
Pelletier sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.
The alleged evading operator was located a short time later and was in custody Thursday, state police said.
State police officials said in press briefing late Thursday that Pelletier was working overtime and had made a stop to check seat belt compliance. A red truck hit him as he was dealing with the traffic stop, officials said. The driver of the truck fled and did not stop until reaching Exit 39A, police said.
State police, Ronnell Higgins, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz made a plea during the press briefing for motorists in Connecticut to slow down and use greater care when driving.
Higgins noted that Pelletier was “a part of the tapestry that weaves this diverse state together.”
Colonel Daniel Loughman said Pelletier was the 26th state trooper to die in the line of duty and that “he gave nine years to this job. He was a dedicated and compassionate professional.”
Pelletier was a member of 125th Training Troop and a nine-year veteran of the Connecticut State Police. He was married and he and his wife, Dominique, have two children. Pelletier joined the force in 2015 and had become a canine handler.
Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday he directed U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff to honor Pelletier. The flags shall will remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not been determined.
“I am devastated to learn about the loss of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, who was killed today in the line of duty while serving the people of Connecticut,” Lamont said.
“This is a tragic reminder about the dangers law enforcement face every day when they leave their homes and go to work. Trooper Pelletier served Connecticut with honor, integrity, and commitment, and he embodies the definition of public service,” Lamont said. “His courage and bravery will never be forgotten. On behalf of the State of Connecticut, my condolences and prayers go out to his family, friends, and brothers and sisters with the Connecticut State Police. I ask the people of Connecticut to keep Trooper Pelletier in their prayers.”
Bysiewicz said she was, “heartbroken to learn of the passing of Trooper First Class Pelletier.” She noted that even her state car had been stopped by Pelletier, who was checking to make sure she and her state trooper driver were wearing seatbelts.
