HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut State Police say an 83-year-old Maryland man fell 35 feet off an elevated highway and died while trying to help a driver whose SUV had rolled over.

Troopers say Richard Herron, of Elkton, Md., jumped over the center median of Interstate 84 in Hartford early Monday morning to avoid a tractor-trailer that was nearing the accident scene. Police say Herron probably didn't realize there was a large drop. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Authorities say the SUV's driver, 45-year-old Sheila Jenkins of Hartford, was traveling too fast around a curve on the wet highway and lost control of her vehicle at about 3 a.m. State police say she was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

The accident and Herron's fall are under investigation.