State Police Still Investigating Fatal Highway Excavator Accident

EAST HARTFORD, CT — State police on Thursday said they want an investigation to take its course before releasing any statements about how a worker was killed the previous day when an excavator tipped over near a busy highway interchange, authorities said.

State police politely referred to the ongoing investigation when asked if high winds were a factor.

State police detectives from the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit are looking into the accident.

The scene unfolded at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday at the Route 2 westbound Governor Street overpass, where construction was taking place, state police said.

When troopers arrived, a John Deere excavator was found on its side with the boom leaning over the overpass, state police said.

The operator of the excavator, identified as John Dubray, 60, of Bethlehem, CT, was ejected from the cab of the excavator, state police said. Dubray was transported to Hartford Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased, state police said.

State Police detectives from the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit responded because their responsibilities include construction and work site equipment, state police said. Inspectors from the Department of Constructions Services, Office of the State Fire Marshal are also assisting in the investigation, state police said.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a post-mortem examination to determine cause and manner of death, state police said.

Interstate-84 eastbound was closed along the Founder’s Bridge outbound lanes in East Hartford for about 90 minutes hours during the investigation. Traffic was backed up in several areas.

The scene was active on Thursday morning, according to the state Department of Transportation Traffic Camera system.

Photo Credit: CT DOT