HARTFORD, Vt. -
It has baffled Vermont State Police since Saturday-- why was Mike Lomakin, 24, on Interstate 91 in Hartford early Saturday morning?
"We may never know why he was out there," Vt. State Police Lt. William Jenkins said.
The graduate student's body was found in the southbound lane around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, after two cars reported hitting what they thought was a dead animal. Police are now looking for a third vehicle that may have significant damage to its windshield and front end.
"We aren't sure there was a third vehicle, but there are some parts of the investigation he was in an upright position when he was first hit, but most of the evidence shows that when the two vehicles hit him, he was down on the ground," Jenkins said.
The Massachusetts native was last seen alive walking away from a small gathering Friday night. But police are not sure where he was headed. His body was found 2 miles from the party and in the opposite direction of his home in Norwich. The physics student was wearing bright colored clothing, but it was rainy and foggy.
"There is no indication this was a suicide. There is no evidence he was dumped," Jenkins said. "All the evidence at this point, points to him being hit where he was found."
Investigators hope the autopsy may provide the clue why Lomakin was on the highway. But they will have to wait 4-6 weeks before the report will be done.
"There was some indication he was consuming some alcohol, but how much we won't know until the autopsy results come back," Jenkins said.
Police would like to hear from anyone who was traveling on Interstate 91-- especially southbound-- between midnight and 2:30 a.m. Saturday.
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