Troopers Stop Wrong-Way Driver, Arrest Tolland Woman for DUI

      On August 18, 2017 at approximately 2:20 a.m., troopers from Troop H - Hartford responded to Route 9 in Middletown for a reported wrong-way driver.

Troopers arrived in the area where they observed a grey 2002 Honda CRV traveling in the wrong direction (northbound in the southbound lanes) in the left lane.

      A trooper positioned his state police cruiser in front of the Honda; however the Honda operator swerved around the cruiser and continued in the wrong way on the curved ramp towards I-91.

      Troopers forced the Honda to a stop on the I-91 southbound exit 22 ramp in Cromwell where they determined the operator was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The female operator from Tolland voluntarily submitted to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests that she did not perform to standard and was taken into custody.

      The operator, Jennifer West (dob 4/23/70) of 12 Garnet Ridge Dr., Tolland, CT., was charged with Reckless Driving, Disobeying the Signal of an Officer, Driving the Wrong Way on a Divided Highway, Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, and Operating under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs. West was released after posting $2,500.00 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on September 21, 2017.

-Slow down and safely move to the right or to the shoulder. If there is no shoulder move as far to the right as possible.

-If it can be avoided do not slam on your brakes, especially if there is a vehicle directly behind you, and do not swerve off of the road or into other lanes.

-Honk the horn, flash your vehicle's headlights, and turn on the hazard lights. It's possible that you may be able to make the wrong-way driver aware that they are traveling in the wrong direction.

-As soon as it is safe to do so call 911 and report the wrong-way driver. Be sure to give your location including direction of travel and closest exit. And if you are able to, provide a description of the vehicle.

-NEVER turn around and follow a wrong-way driver!

-It's good practice when driving on the highway at night, especially after midnight, to travel in the right lane. Wrong-way drivers often travel in the left lane thinking they are in the right lane for their direction of travel.

***Please remember that not all wrong-way drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Some wrong-way drivers may be experiencing a medical emergency, while others may be disoriented or confused by signage.