Aron Tyrell Vann, of Waterbury in New Haven County, drove south in the northbound lanes along Route 8 in Waterbury when his Nissan Altima collided with a Jeep Cherokee just after 3 a.m., Connecticut State Police said.
Paramedics rushed Vann to Waterbury Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
The Jeep driver, a 36-year-old from Allentown, Pennsylvania, suffered minor injuries, but paramedics took him to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment.
It's unclear why Vann was driving in the wrong direction on the highway.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. They ask anyone with information to contact Trooper Anthony Falstoe at 203-267-2200 or anthony.falstoe@ct.gov.
Click here to follow Daily Voice East Hartford and receive free news updates.