MIDDLEBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — A 22-year-old man is dead after a crash on Interstate 84 in Middlebury on Saturday, Connecticut State Police say.

Crews from Troop A. responded to the scene between exits 16 and 17 on the Eastbound side at about 3:45 a.m. for reports of a two-car crash.

The both cars were traveling in the center lane near the South Street Bridge when the second car rear ended the first. The driver of the second car died as a result of the crash.

Connecticut State Police have identified the victim as 22-year-old James Hannan of Farmington.

Any witnesses to the collision are requested to contact Trooper James Perazzella #762 at (203)267-2200 or james.perazzella@ct.gov. The collision remains under investigation.

TOLLAND, Conn. (WTNH) — Tolland Town Manager Brian Foley has shared more information about a “significant” police operation on Saturday which resulted in at least 50 people being charged with animal cruelty.

According to Foley, a criminal investigation operation involving Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture took place on Saturday in connection to an alleged large-scale “cockfighting” event at a secluded quarry off Mountain Spring Road that has been inactive for more than a decade.

A “significant number of arrests” took place on Saturday and at least 50 people were charged with animal cruelty. Hundreds of birds were found by investigators and “significant evidence” was recovered, according to Foley.

“While this type of event is shocking, yesterday’s operation demonstrated clearly that the Town of Tolland is not the place to attempt this type of criminal activity. Our law enforcement partners made that abundantly clear,” he said. “Animal cruelty of this type or any kind will never be tolerated in the Town of Tolland.”

This is a developing story, stay with News 8 for updates