Governor Ned Lamont has directed US and state flags on all Connecticut state government buildings and properties lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, October 2, 2026, in honor of Connecticut Department of Transportation Employee Elvin Hernandez, who was struck and killed by a motor vehicle last week while on the job doing road maintenance work on Interstate 95 in Fairfield.

The lowering of flags is being coordinated with memorial and interment services, which are scheduled to be held on Friday in Bridgeport and Easton.

The governor said Hernandez “was a dedicated state employee and public servant, and I join his family, friends, and colleagues at the Connecticut Department of Transportation in mourning his passing.

“This is a tragic situation that never should have happened, and it is a stark reminder to all drivers about the critical importance of showing respect to all road maintenance workers and first responders while working on the roadside. I am directing flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Elvin’s life and selfless commitment to his community,” Lamont added.

In accordance with the governor’s directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time.

Since no flag should fly higher than the US flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.

Hernandez, 60, died on Friday, September 25, after being struck by a 2006 Buick Lucerne CX being operated by Edward Myers, 60, of Derby. Hernandez had just exited the passenger side of a state-owned Ford 350 dump truck for debris removal, according to the CT State Police (CSP) incident report.

Around 10:35 am last Friday morning, CSP Troop G began receiving calls of a motor vehicle operating erratically while traveling on I-95 South near Exit 24 in Fairfield.

Meanwhile, a DOT employee had parked the dump truck within the right shoulder of the highway, near Exit 20.

The Buick entered the grassy right shoulder to the rear of the dump truck and subsequently struck Hernandez, according to the CSP report. Life-saving measures were attempted on scene. Hernandez was transported to Bridgeport Hospital and succumbed to his injuries.

The driver of the dump truck was also transported to a hospital for suspected minor injury.

Myers exhibited multiple indicators of impairment at the collision scene. He was evaluated for minor injuries at St. Vincent's Medical Center, was determined to be under the influence, and was subsequently transported to Troop G where he was charged with Manslaughter in the Second Degree with a Motor Vehicle, a Class C felony; Possession of A Controlled Substance (3rd Offense), a Class A misdemeanor; Operating Under the Influence of Drugs/Alcohol (2nd Offense), Illegal Operation Without Ignition Interlock Device; and Failure To Maintain Proper Lane.

CSP’s Criminal Information Summary notes Myers exhibited multiple indicates of impairment at the collision scene including poor coordination, low and slow speech, severe disorientation and constricted pupils. At the hospital, he admitted to having insufflated heroin prior to the crash. Additionally, a plastic baggie containing a white, pebble-like substance — which Myers admitted was freebase cocaine — was found in one of his jacket pockets, also according to the CSP summary.

Myers was unable to post a $750,000 cash bond, was transported to Bridgeport Correctional Center, and scheduled to appear at GA-2 Bridgeport Superior Court on September 28.

On Monday, his bond was raised to $2 million. He did not enter a plea for the five charges he faces during his first appearance in court. His next appearance at Bridgeport Superior Court is scheduled for October 22.

Hernandez is survived by two sisters, a brother-in-law, a girlfriend, five nieces, two nephews, a goddaughter, and “many extended relatives, friends, coworkers, and others fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him,” according to his obituary.