Connecticut State Police reveal the man who walked in front of a tractor trailer truck Wednesday on I-84 at about 1 p.m. was a 52-year-old Ridgefield man named Jonathan Rich.
Connecticut State Police said Rich may have walked into traffic intentionally, according to information provided by a friend of Rich. Rich said something that sounded to his friend like he was thinking about committing suicide. Police said Rich walked east on westbound I-84, running in front of a truck that swerved to avoid him. He then ran in front of it again, and was stuck and killed.
Connecticut State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance said Rich died at the scene. Police said physical evidence at the scene was consistent with witness testimony. Police said the truck driver voluntarily gave a urine test and no charges are anticipated.
Nearly three hours after the accident, traffic was still crawling through the I-84 corridor and spilling onto local roads, from Oxford to Bethel. A reported three-vehicle accident near Exit 9 in Newtown at about 4:30 p.m. added to that congestion as the evening commute approached.
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