09/25/2006

** UPDATE **
THREE State Troopers Injured by wrong way driver

On September 25, 2006, at approximately 12:51 a.m., State Police Troop H in Hartford received numerous 911 calls reporting a wrong-way driver traveling Southbound on I-91 in the Northbound lanes.  While responding to the immediate area, Sgt. Steven Hall encountered the offending vehicle Southbound in the HOV lane near exit 35 in Windsor. The offending vehicle swerved through the HOV swale into the left lane, striking Sgt. Hall head-on and disabling his police cruiser. The offending vehicle then reversed its direction of travel while fleeing from Sgt. Hall and exited the highway at exit 36, placing other motorists at risk.

State Trooper First Class Dale Smith attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop of the offending vehicle only to have his cruiser intentionally struck by the evading and fleeing suspect vehicle.  As a result of this collision, Trooper Smith’s cruiser was also disabled.

While fleeing on Route 159 Southbound, the offending vehicle was then located by Trooper Alexis Perez who also attempted to stop it. While trying to halt the offending vehicle, Trooper Perez made contact at which point both vehicles became disabled in the Town of Windsor in the vicinity of the Windsor shopping plaza.

All three State Police personnel – Sgt. Hall, Trooper Smith, Trooper Perez – were transported to Hartford Hospital, where they were treated and released.

The accused was transported via ambulance to St. Francis Hospital for treatment and is facing numerous charges. This case remains open pending further investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Sgt. Calvo at Troop H at (860) 534-1060.

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