Report Completed On Fatal Crash Involving Trooper In Tolland

TOLLAND, CT — Driver error was cited in a crash last March that claimed the life of a state trooper stationed at the Troop C barracks, according to a completed 603-page report made available Wednesday.

The March 29 crash took the life of Trooper First Class Kevin Miller. He was buried with full honors in a procession that originated from Troop C that culiminated in a funeral that drew thousands from across the nation.

His cruiser hit the back of a tractor-trailer near Exit 68 on Inyerstate-84 in Tolland. He was traveling east.

Details of the report include:

• Miller's cruiser was traveling at 82 mph at the time of the crash.
• Miller was not wearing a seat belt.
• Miller did not recognize the "hazard in front of him."
• There was "no avoidance" attempted by Miller, but the collision would have occurred if the speed of the cruiser was between 65 and 83 mph.
• The speed did not contribute to the collision.
• The driver had experienced a power loss due to a malfunctioning valve while climbing a hill.
• He did not move his truck to a "place of safety" on the shoulder.
• The truck had issues over a 24-hour span, but remained on the road.
• The tractor trailer was equipped with a impact guard to prevent vehicle from going underneath it from behind.
• The driver of the tractor-trailer was not the subject of any law enforcement action; though the report said the engine issues with should have been addressed prior to leaving New Jersey.
• A witness stated she did not see emergency lights activated on the cruiser.

A memorial has been placed at the site of the crash.

Miller was later honored with the Meritorious Service Medal with Trooper First Class Michael Zella for a 2017 case.

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