(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today are mourning the death of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) employee Elvin Hernandez, 60, who was killed this morning when he was struck by a motor vehicle while doing road maintenance work on Interstate 95 in Fairfield.
Hernandez worked for CTDOT since 2010 and was based out of the agency’s Stratford garage.
Governor Lamont will order flags lowered to half-staff in coordination with the date of Hernandez’s funeral services, which have not yet been determined. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification indicating when flags should be lowered.
“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,” Governor Lamont said. “CTDOT workers face dangerous situations while performing their jobs because of drivers who aren’t paying attention to road conditions and speeding through work zones. I am imploring every single driver to show CTDOT and all other road maintenance workers and first responders respect and slow down whenever you see them working on our roads. My prayers are with Elvin’s family, friends, and CTDOT colleagues. Connecticut state government is grieving one of our employees who dedicated themselves to serving the public.”
“I’m heartbroken to learn of the passing of one of our dedicated public servants, Elvin Hernandez,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “This tragedy is a stark reminder of the immense danger our CTDOT workers face in their jobs each day. 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. To our drivers—reduce your speeds, remove distractions, never drive under the influence, and remain cautious in work zones. My thoughts and prayers are with Elvin’s family, friends, and CTDOT colleagues.”
“We are heartbroken by Elvin Hernandez’s tragic death,” Commissioner Eucalitto said. “What happened today on I-95 in Fairfield is a senseless tragedy. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who loved them. Today’s tragedy is the nightmare scenario that every CTDOT employee and highway worker fears. Elvin was killed while simply doing their job and their life was cut short because of a driver’s actions. Sadness and anger do not fully capture how our agency feels today. The complete disregard that some motorists continue to show our employees, first responders, and those working on the roadside is disgraceful. The moral outrage the 3,300 men and women of this agency are feeling in this moment is entirely justified because their lives are constantly being put in jeopardy. As we grieve Elvin, I am demanding that every driver in the state do their part to prevent another tragedy. Slow down, move over, put the phone away, and pay attention. Our workers deserve to go home safely at the end of their shift, and the public must do its part to ensure that happens.”
“Elvin Hernandez, a proud union member and CTDOT employee, was struck and killed in a work zone by a driver who chose to drive recklessly in a work zone. This loss did not have to happen,” Carl R. Chisem, president of CEUI Local 511, said. “Elvin was more than a coworker. He was our brother. Our hearts are with his family, his friends, and every member who worked alongside him. Our members do dangerous work every day to keep Connecticut’s roads safe. But they can only be safe when drivers take their safety seriously. One reckless choice took Elvin’s life. Our union has fought for stricter work zone speeding laws and tougher enforcement. We have demanded that drivers put down their phones. We will keep fighting for our brothers and sisters. But laws alone are not enough. Drivers have to understand what's at stake: when you speed through a work zone, you are putting lives at risk. Slow down. Put the phone down. Let our members get home to their families. We will never forget Brother Elvin. We will carry his name forward in this fight.”