A Connecticut man faces five charges after allegedly speeding more than 100 mph, eluding police and eventually driving the wrong way on an entrance ramp on Route 9 in Cromwell, according to state police.
Derell Aponte, 24, of New Britain, was allegedly clocked by state police going 111 mph in a 65 mph zone in a gray Honda Civic early Friday morning. As a trooper from Troop H drove to catch up to Aponte, he allegedly turned off the car’s headlights and taillights and began to change lanes in an erratic manner, according to state police.
Police said the officer then put on their lights and sirens and Aponte allegedly stopped his car and then pulled into the right shoulder and backed down the Interstate 91 north Exit 22 entrance ramp from Route 9 north in the wrong direction in an attempt to flee.
For safety purposes, state police stopped the pursuit. More troopers responded to Route 9 but didn’t find the Civic, according to police.
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The initial trooper in pursuit used the license plate and went to the address connected to the car, which was in New Britain. Officers spoke with the owner of the Honda Civic and found that Aponte was using the car. The owner called Aponte and he agreed to meet with state police and he allegedly admitted he was driving the Honda during the earlier pursuit, according to state police.
Aponte was taken into custody, transported to Troop H and charged with reckless driving (greater than 85 mph), unsafe backing, disobeying the signal of an officer, driving the wrong way on a divided highway and first-degree reckless endangerment, state police said.
Instances of drivers allegedly attempting to elude police while operating vehicles at high speeds have not been uncommon in recent weeks in the state.
Aponte is free on a $20,000 bond and will be arranged on Oct. 4 at Middletown Superior Court.
