A Danbury man was killed in a motorcycle accident on Rochambeau Bridge on Interstate 84 about 7:01 am on Thursday, July 12. The incident caused extensive traffic backups and travel delays in both directions on the highway as state police investigated during the morning rush.

State police said that before the accident occurred, motorcyclist William Jasmin, 48, was riding a 2014 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide eastward and was approaching the bridge, which crosses the Lake Zoar section of the Housatonic River, after which the motorcycle veered to the right and, for unknown reasons, struck the concrete bridge wall alongside the right road shoulder.

Jasmin then became separated from the motorcycle and struck the metallic railings positioned atop the concrete wall. Jasmin received fatal injuries due to the crash, according to state police.

After the initial impact, the motorcycle continued moving and came to rest approximately 550 to the east.

The eastbound travel delays stemmed from state police's investigation into the dynamics of the incident. The westbound delays resulted from motorists slowing down to look at that investigation.

Rochambeau Bridge consists of two separate spans across the river. The boundary between Newtown and Southbury is at the center of the bridge, which is above the center of the river.

The accident remains under investigation. State police ask anyone who witnessed the accident to contact investigating Trooper Matthew Bell at 203-267-2240.