Two people have died after a crash on I-91 south in Hartford on Wednesday night that shut down the highway for hours.
Officers say a man was driving a car on I-91 southbound near exit 27 around 10:30 p.m. when he hit the metal guardrail on the left shoulder. A pedestrian who had parked his vehicle in the right shoulder then ran across the highway to the vehicle that had just crashed. A second vehicle that police believe was traveling in the left lane then hit the pedestrian, identified as 24-year-old Giovanni Melendez, of New Britain, and the first vehicle that was disabled on the left side of the highway.
The male driver of the vehicle that hit the guardrail was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 11 p.m. Police are working to identify him to notify his next of kin.
Melendez was pronounced dead at Hartford Hospital shortly after.
The driver of the second vehicle was not injured.
The accident remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to call Trooper Anthony Fasulo at (860) 534-1000 ext. 6060.
