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An out-of-state man was killed on I-95 northbound after stepping into the left lane of traffic to retrieve his cellphone.
Connecticut State Police are not sure how the man's cell phone fell out of the pick-up truck he was riding in around 2:30 a.m. Monday, but said the man, crossed over three lanes of traffic and found the phone, said Sgt. Alex Pearston.
After fetching the phone, the unidentified man, who was on a fishing trip with three friends, then stepped back into the left lane to return to the truck when he was hit by an SUV, Pearston said.
"It was simply a poor decision," Pearston said.
He was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to a local hospital, he said.
Pearston said state police have issued warnings to motorists to never get out of a vehicle to retrieve lost items.
"They should always call the police and we will come and get it for them," he said. "The key is staying in the vehicle."
It's the same for tractor-trailer drivers who might lose their cargo. They should always pull over and wait for help, he added.
The driver of the SUV pulled over following the crash to help and has not been found at fault, he added.
Police are currently awaiting toxicology reports.
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