Cristhian Eduardo Carvajal Saldana Obituary, Death – A man was fatally struck in a hit-and-run incident early Sunday morning on Interstate 95 in Greenwich, Connecticut, prompting an ongoing investigation by state police as they search for the driver responsible.
According to authorities, state troopers were dispatched to I-95 South near Exit 3 around 4:30 a.m. following reports of a vehicle that was dangerously disabled on the roadway. As officers made their way to the scene, they received additional information indicating that a pedestrian had been hit by a vehicle in the same area.
Upon arriving, investigators found that the pedestrian had been standing in the left travel lane of the highway when a vehicle approached and struck him. Rather than stopping to render aid or report the incident, the driver continued heading south, fleeing the scene of the crash.
The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Cristhian Eduardo Carvajal Saldana, a resident of New York. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene shortly after arriving. His death has shocked many, and authorities are working to understand the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Based on evidence recovered from the scene, state police believe that the vehicle involved in the collision suffered visible but relatively minor damage before fleeing. Specifically, they noted that parts of the car were left behind, including a detached driver’s side mirror housing, a portion of the front bumper on the driver’s side, and trim from the front driver’s side wheel.
Using this evidence, investigators have determined that the vehicle is likely a gray or silver Ford Transit Van manufactured between 2015 and 2018. The exact model year remains uncertain, but the physical clues collected at the scene suggest the make and type of vehicle with a high degree of certainty.
As of now, the driver responsible for the collision has not been located, and authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may assist in the investigation. Law enforcement officials have released a public appeal asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have information about the vehicle involved, to contact Trooper Daniel Sottini. Tips may also be sent by email, and all leads will be treated with confidentiality as the investigation continues.
The Connecticut State Police are treating the incident as a serious hit-and-run fatality and are dedicating resources to tracking down the person responsible. In hit-and-run cases, fleeing the scene after causing injury or death is a criminal offense and can lead to significant legal consequences, including imprisonment. State law requires that any driver involved in a collision — particularly one involving injury or death — must remain at the scene, contact authorities, and assist to the best of their ability.
While the reasons why Carvajal Saldana was standing in the left lane of the highway at that hour remain unclear, authorities are exploring various possibilities, including whether he had been involved with the reported disabled vehicle mentioned in the initial emergency call. It is not uncommon for pedestrians on highways to be drivers or passengers of stalled vehicles, attempting to assess damage, signal for help, or move to a safer location.
Troopers are reviewing surveillance footage from traffic cameras in the area and checking with nearby businesses and gas stations in case any additional video evidence was captured. They are also hoping that motorists who may have been in the vicinity at the time will recall seeing a damaged gray or silver van and will come forward with that information.
The tragedy highlights the dangers of being on foot near or on high-speed roads like I-95, especially during the early morning hours when visibility is low and traffic may be moving at higher speeds. It also underscores the importance of driver responsibility and the moral and legal obligation to stop and provide help after an accident.
Friends and family of Cristhian Eduardo Carvajal Saldana are now mourning the sudden and tragic loss of a young man whose life ended far too soon. As they grieve, they also await justice and answers about who was behind the wheel and why they chose to flee instead of taking responsibility.
Community members in both Connecticut and New York have expressed their condolences and support to Carvajal Saldana’s loved ones. Advocacy groups are also using this incident to call for increased awareness around highway safety and stronger efforts to prevent hit-and-run incidents.
At present, the Connecticut State Police continue to follow up on leads and process evidence, hoping to identify and apprehend the driver involved. Anyone who noticed a gray or silver Ford Transit Van with visible damage to the front driver’s side after the early hours of Sunday morning is strongly encouraged to contact authorities. Even small tips, officials say, could prove vital in bringing closure to the victim’s family and ensuring that justice is served.
As the investigation moves forward, the public’s cooperation is essential. State police are determined to find the person responsible for this fatal incident and are asking for anyone with any piece of information, no matter how minor it may seem, to step forward.