The roadside death of a Connecticut Department of Transportation worker, coming just weeks after the death of another pedestrian, state trooper Aaron Pelletier, has led to renewed calls for drivers to pay attention and heed the state’s Move Over law. Multiple officials call it another case of reckless driving.
State police say Andrew DiDomenico, 26, of Meriden, was working alongside the shoulder of I-91 South, Exit 13 in Wallingford at about 9:15 Friday morning when he was struck and killed by a vehicle which had left the travel lane.
The driver remained on the scene and is in police custody. In the case of the May hit-and-run death of Pelletier on I-84 in Southington, the driver fled the scene and was arrested later. But in both cases, the victim was on foot doing his job before being fatally rammed by a driver who crossed into the shoulder.
Officials say both men might have been saved had the respective drivers followed the Move Over law, which requires that cars slow down and, if possible, move over a lane to stay away from traffic or emergency vehicles stopped in the shoulder.
An angry state public safety commissioner Ronnell Higgins spoke to reporters at a prescheduled event, saying, “I am for increasing penalties. I am for whatever it takes for us to make our highways safe.”
DOT commissioner Garrett Eucalitto issued a statement, reading, "Our entire agency is heartbroken by Andrew’s tragic death. Our sympathies are with his family, friends, and loved ones. Roadside workers are always in harm’s way and what happened today is the nightmare scenario no one wants to see happen… As we all continue processing today’s horrible events, we ask the public to slow down and pay attention to help make sure we all get home alive."
Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said, “This is a heartbreaking tragedy and one that never should have happened. Andrew was with several of his colleagues in a work zone doing routine road maintenance when he was struck and killed by a driver. I am both outraged and saddened. I implore everyone getting behind the wheel to be fully alert and pay attention to what is happening on the road around them at all times. Show some respect for the workers on our interstates and roadways by following the speed limit and reducing your speed whenever you’re near work zones.”
In a joint statement, state Senate President Martin Looney (D), state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D) and state Sen. Christine Cohen (D) wrote, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Andrew DiDomenico today. At just 26 years old, Andrew had a whole life ahead of him that was tragically cut short during his service to our state. Our most heartfelt sympathies are with Andrew’s family, friends and fellow workers at the Department of Transportation and we once again urge Connecticut drivers to slow down, pay attention and share the road responsibly. Andrew’s death was entirely preventable and we are outraged by the carelessness displayed on our roads.”
State House Minority Leader Vin Candelora (R) wrote, “I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and Department of Transportation co-workers of Andrew DiDomenico. His tragic death at the age of 26 serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers inherent in transportation improvement projects. It also underscores the urgent need for the Governor and legislature to finally address what so many Connecticut residents are unfortunately experiencing—an undeniable safety crisis on our highways.”
State Attorney General William Tong (D) adds, “My heart breaks for the family, friends, and coworkers of Andrew DiDomenico. He lost his life way too soon in service to our state. This is yet another preventable, tragic death of a young, dedicated state employee on our roadways. His death is intolerable and unacceptable. As a state, we must do absolutely everything we can to stop this rampant reckless driving.”
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