CTDOT Worker Killed While Doing Road Maintenance On I-95 In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Connecticut Department of Transportation employee was killed Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle while doing road maintenance work on I-95 in Fairfield, according to state officials.

Elvin Hernandez, 60, had worked for CTDOT since 2010 and was based at the agency’s Stratford garage.

Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto issued statements mourning Hernandez’s death and urging drivers to use caution around highway workers.

“It is with incredible sadness today that we are mourning the loss of Connecticut state employee Elvin Hernandez, who was struck and killed while working on the job in a heartbreaking tragedy that never should have happened,” Lamont said.

Lamont said CTDOT employees face dangerous conditions while working on the state’s roads and urged drivers to slow down around work zones.

“My prayers are with Elvin’s family, friends, and CTDOT colleagues,” the governor added. “Connecticut state government is grieving one of our employees who dedicated themselves to serving the public.”

The crash occurred at about 10:35 a.m. southbound near exit 21. Details were not immediately available, but the investigation temporarily shutdown I-95 for hours on Friday.

Bysiewicz also called Hernandez’s death a reminder of the dangers CTDOT workers face.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the immense danger our CTDOT workers face in their jobs each day,” Bysiewicz said. “They work tirelessly to ensure that our highways and roadways are clean, safe, and reliable — we should all do more to ensure that they make it home safely.”

Eucalitto said Hernandez’s death had affected employees throughout the agency.

“We are heartbroken by Elvin Hernandez’s tragic death,” Eucalitto said. “What happened today on I-95 in Fairfield is a senseless tragedy.”

Eucalitto urged motorists to slow down, move over, avoid using their phones and pay attention while driving near roadside workers.

“Our workers deserve to go home safely at the end of their shift, and the public must do its part to ensure that happens,” he said.

Carl R. Chisem, president of CEUI Local 511, said Hernandez was a union member and called for drivers to take work zone safety seriously.

“Elvin was more than a coworker. He was our brother,” Chisem said. “Our hearts are with his family, his friends, and every member who worked alongside him.”

Chisem said the union has advocated for stricter work zone speeding laws and enforcement.

“Drivers have to understand what's at stake: when you speed through a work zone, you are putting lives at risk,” Chisem said.

Lamont will order flags lowered to half-staff in coordination with Hernandez’s funeral services, according to the governor’s office. Funeral arrangements have not yet been determined. The governor’s office said it will announce when flags should be lowered.