Driver confesses to taking fentanyl, cocaine before fatal hit-and-run of CT state trooper

The driver accused of fatally striking Connecticut Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, and then fleeing the scene, has been arrested.

Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 44, is facing a slew of charges in connection with the deadly hit-and-run, including manslaughter in the second degree, operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol and evading responsibility death.

According to an arrest report obtained by NBC Connecticut, Oyola-Sanchez confessed to taking fentanyl, cocaine and what he believed was Klonopin before the deadly crash, which occurred Thursday afternoon.

Pelletier had stopped a car on Interstate 84 East in Southington and was standing outside of his cruiser when Oyola-Sanchez’s pickup truck swerved onto the shoulder. Authorities said his vehicle initially struck the police cruiser, and then Pelletier, who’d been talking to the driver he’d just pulled over.

The highway was closed for hours as police investigated the incident and tracked down the suspect.

Oyola-Sanchez continued driving, stopping only after his tire blew on I-84 East in Farmington. He was taken into custody shortly thereafter, and it’s far from the first time he has been arrested.

In 2007, Oyola-Sanchez was convicted of third degree murder in Puerto Rico and sentenced to serve six years in prison, CT Insider reported. It’s unclear how long he actually spent behind bars. The following year, he was charged with three counts of attempted homicide.

Pelletier leaves behind his wife, Dominique, and two young sons, Troy and Zachary.