Suspect Used Heroin Before Fatal CTDOT Crash In Fairfield : CT State Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — A 60-year-old Derby man has been arrested in connection with the Friday morning crash that killed state Department of Transportation worker Elvin Hernandez, according to Connecticut State Police.

Edward Myers, who state police said admitted to using heroin before the crash, was charged with the following:

• Second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle
• Illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence
• Illegal operation of motor vehicle without an ignition device
• Failure to drive in the proper lane
• Possession of a controlled substance

Myers is being held in lieu of bail of $750,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court on Monday.

According to state police, a state Department of Transportation dump truck was parked in the right shoulder of I-95 southbound near exit 20 in Fairfield at the time of the crash. Hernandez, a Bridgeport resident, was outside the truck removing debris when a 2006 Buick Lucerne, driven by Myers, veered onto the grassy right shoulder and struck Hernandez.

"Life-saving measures were attempted on scene; however, Hernandez was transported to Bridgeport Hospital and succumbed to his injuries," state police wrote in a statement.

State police said that Myers "exhibited multiple indicators of impairment at the collision scene," and was evaluated at St. Vincent's Medical Center for minor injuries.

It was at the hospital where Myers "admitted to having insufflated heroin prior to the collision," state police said.

Additionally, state police found a quantity of freebase cocaine in Myers' possession.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim were among those mourning Hernandez' passing.

“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,” Lamont said.

Ganim said, "I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Elvin Hernandez, a Bridgeport resident and Connecticut Department of Transportation employee who lost his life today while on the job on I-95 in Fairfield."

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins issued the following statement: "The entire DESPP family is heartbroken by this tragic death. We extend our deepest sympathy to Elvin Hernandez's family, friends and loved ones. Our troopers and first responders work alongside highway crews every day, and they understand that risk firsthand. We stand with our partners at the Department of Transportation as they grieve one of their own. And we ask every driver: slow down, pay attention, and move over for those working on our roads."

Added State Police Colonel Daniel Loughman, "The men and women of the Connecticut State Police extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Connecticut Department of Transportation employee Elvin Hernandez, who tragically lost his life today while working in a highway work zone on Interstate 95 in Fairfield.

"Mr. Hernandez was performing vital work in service to the people of Connecticut when this tragedy occurred. His death is a painful reminder of the dangers faced every day by the men and women who work along our highways to keep our transportation system safe and operational.

"Our thoughts are with Mr. Hernandez’s loved ones and with the entire CT DOT family during this profoundly difficult time. We share in their grief and honor our brother’s service to our state."