State police arrest driver accused of killing State Trooper Pelletier – NBC Connecticut

State police have arrested the man accused of striking and killing Connecticut State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier on Interstate 84 in Southington on Thursday and then fleeing the scene.

Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 44, of Hartford, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, evading prosecution, murder and other charges.

State police said Trooper Pelletier pulled over another driver on Interstate 84 East in Southington, and Oyola-Sanchez drove onto the shoulder, struck Pelletier and his vehicle, and continued driving until his tire blew out on I-84 East in Farmington.

Oyola-Sanchez was caught and arrested moments after the accident, state police said.

His bail was initially set at $5 million and he appeared in court on Friday where bail was set at $1.5 million.

According to state police and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Trooper Pelletier leaves behind his wife Dominique and two young sons, Troy and Zachary.