An employee of a roadside assistance tow truck company died while helping a driver in distress around 7 p.m., on Interstate 91 in North Haven Saturday night, May 21st, according to the North Haven Fire Department.

The tow truck operator, identified by family and coworkers as 37-year-old Christopher Russell from Ellington, had pulled over to provide help on I-91 northbound near exits 10 and 11 in North Haven.

Russell was then hit by another car while helping someone change a tire in the breakdown lane.

The North Haven Police Department and Connecticut State Police have not indicated if an arrest has been made.

Russell’s coworkers at RTT LLC in South Windsor are planning on creating a memorial at the crash site, according to another employee. They also intend on returning his truck home as a way to pay their respects.