Police officer killed in hit-and-run on I-84 in Southington

According to Connecticut State Police, a police officer was killed on I-84 near Exit 31 in Southington on Friday afternoon.

According to police, Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier of Troop H-Hartford was standing next to his patrol car conducting a traffic stop when he was struck and killed by a red pickup truck.

They also say the driver fled the scene of the crash, but officers were later able to arrest him near Exit 39A after the truck broke down. Their identities and charges will be released at a later date.

Officers reported that Pelletier’s sniffer dog, Rosso, accompanied him during the traffic stop but was not injured. He was returned to the sniffer dog unit by another officer.

Pelletier was married, had two children and served as a police officer for nine years.

State police held a funeral procession along the highway Thursday evening to escort Pelletier’s body from the scene.

Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz of the Connecticut State Police and Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Safety held a press conference in Middletown to provide details of the accident.

“Yesterday we marked the 121st anniversary of the founding of the Connecticut State Police. It is with great sadness that I inform you that Trooper First Class Pelletier is the 26th Connecticut State Trooper to die in the line of duty,” said Colonel Daniel Loughman.

“Trooper Pelletier was part of the fabric that holds this diverse state together,” Higgins said.

Local residents also expressed their condolences.

“Of course I feel terrible about it,” said TJ Calabrese.

Calabrese said he is a proud supporter of law enforcement and was deeply saddened to hear about Pelletier.

“I wish people would be more careful. Things like this happen on the highway, you have to be careful when you drive by,” Calabrese said. “It’s tragic.”

“I am so sorry for your loss today,” said Greg Drwal of Derby.

Drwal is a professional drone pilot and filmed the scene. He said he was on his way to see his mother when he got stuck in traffic. He told News 12 his sympathies go out to a police officer he spoke to who seemed shaken.

“The police officer just came by and said this happened to his partner. He was his long-time partner and he was by his side the whole time,” Drwal said.

Governor Ned Lamont also ordered the flags of the United States and Connecticut to be flown at half-mast in Pelletier’s honor, effective immediately.

He said the flags should remain down until further notice.

Police are urging the public to slow down and observe the Move Over Law for emergency vehicles.

The investigation had not yet been completed on Thursday evening.

Anyone with information is asked to call Troop H in Hartford at 860-534-1000.