A Connecticut man is facing multiple charges after evading state troopers following a crash on Interstate 84, officials said.
Christopher Robinson, 32, of Cheshire, was arrested and charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, engaging police in pursuit, disobeying a signal of an officer and reckless driving, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, evading responsibility in operation of motor vehicles and failure to drive in proper lane. Robinson was released on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment at Waterbury Superior Court on Sept. 24, state police said.
On Sept. 6, at approximately 9:27 a.m., troopers assigned to Troop A in Southbury responded to I-84 Westbound near Exit 19 in Waterbury for a two-car motor vehicle crash. Prior to their arrival, responding troopers were advised that one of the involved vehicles, described as a white Hyundai Elantra, fled the scene of the collision. A witness to the crash provided Troop A dispatch with the Hyundai’s Connecticut registration and informed them that the Hyundai took Exit 17 and was traveling on the Chase Parkway in Waterbury.
According to police, a responding state trooper driving west on Chase Parkway observed the Hyundai traveling east. The trooper reportedly made a U-turn and caught up to the Hyundai, which was stopped at the traffic light at Chase Parkway and Country Club Road, and positioned their cruiser behind the Hyundai. Once the traffic light turned green, the Hyundai turned left to continue Eastbound on Chase Parkway. The trooper reportedly located a safe area to stop the vehicle and initiated emergency lights and siren. The operator of the Hyundai pulled over to the right shoulder but allegedly continued to travel at a low rate of speed. When the trooper positioned their cruiser beside the Hyundai to visually identify the driver, the driver of the Hyundai allegedly began to accelerate.
In response, the trooper reportedly positioned their cruiser to prevent the vehicle from leaving the scene. The trooper reportedly got out of the cruiser and the driver of the Hyundai allegedly began to drive in reverse. The trooper reportedly then observed the operator of the Hyundai shift the vehicle into drive and steer the vehicle in their direction. The trooper reportedly drew his gun and told the suspect to park the car, which he reportedly did. The trooper approached the driver’s side door and told the suspect to get out of the car. The suspect reportedly said damage to the car prevented him from opening the door and the trooper attempted to help open it. According to police, the suspect allegedly then put the car in drive and fled from the scene, nearly dragging the trooper.
Back in their car, the trooper soon saw the Hyundai driving on Riverside Street and followed the car from a distance, waiting for backup.
The Hyundai reportedly merged onto Route 8 Southbound before heading onto the Exit 26 off-ramp into Naugatuck, police said. A nearby Beacon Falls police officer saw the Hyundai traveling Southbound on Route 63 in Naugatuck and attempted to stop the car, but the Hyundai allegedly sped off.
The officer reportedly pursued the car on Route 63. As they approached the intersection of Bowman Drive, the operator of the Hyundai swerved around vehicles stopped at the traffic light. In doing so, the Hyundai drove onto the front yard of a residence and struck trees, rendering the vehicle inoperable.
The driver allegedly got out of the Hyundai and ran off on foot. The officer was able to catch up and secure the fleeing driver.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, police said.
