WEST HARTFORD, Connecticut — A 28-year-old tractor-trailer driver from Philadelphia was struck and killed during an apparent road rage incident on Interstate 84 East in West Hartford on Tuesday afternoon, according to state police.

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Connecticut State Police identified the victim as Haneef McKnight, 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Investigators say McKnight was behind the wheel of a Freightliner tractor-trailer towing a trailer in the right lane of I-84 East shortly after 3:15 p.m., while a box truck was traveling in the center lane, in heavy, congested traffic just prior to Exit 44.

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For reasons that remain under investigation, troopers say McKnight got out of his semi, ran across the interstate and climbed onto the box truck in the center lane. Witnesses reported seeing the truck driver running alongside the box truck and attempting to get to the driver’s side door as both vehicles were still in traffic.

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During the ensuing disturbance, McKnight fell and was struck by the box truck in the travel lanes. He suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, despite efforts by bystanders who attempted to resuscitate him before first responders arrived.

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Investigators have not yet said what triggered the confrontation between the two commercial drivers or whether the men knew each other prior to the incident. The box truck driver remained at the scene and the investigation is ongoing as detectives work to determine exactly how the altercation unfolded and why McKnight left the cab of his tractor-trailer.

State police are asking anyone who was driving through the area at the time of the incident — particularly those with cell phone video or dashcam footage — to contact Detective Timothy Nohelty at 860-706-5632 or timothy.nohelty@ct.gov as they continue to piece together the events leading up to the trucker’s death.

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