Connecticut
Report: Higher speeds a major factor in accidents across state, police cracking down
![Report: Higher speeds a major factor in accidents across state, police cracking down](https://www.wtnh.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/100/2024/07/BADFD68015308E9FC9172277CA54F661.jpg?w=1280)
BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Connecticut State Police Speed Safety program is continuing to target aggressive and dangerous drivers.
The program, announced in February, was aimed at reducing the number of fatalities on state roads. News 8 Investigative Reporter, Jeff Derderian rode along with State Police and got an update on the program.
From February until now, News 8 has learned State Police have done nearly 43,000 traffic stops and just over 19,000 citations were issued. According to police, about 22,000 warnings were issued.
The idea was to target trouble areas on the highways, city streets and rural roads.
According to data by the UConn Transportation Safety Research Center, there have been 172 traffic-related deaths this year. In 2023, there were 311; 366 in 2022 and 302 in 2021.
Their figures also show that the recorded speeds at point of impact for accidents is much higher than normal, suggesting speed is playing a big factor in accidents.
Connecticut State Police Lt. Alex Cintron says he routinely sees cars traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph. Cintron says it’s not just sports cars either. He said it’s more basic-type cars that still can reach dangerous speeds. In addition, distracted driving continues to be a major issue for State Police.
“When you take your eyes off the road or you take your hands off the wheel or if you distract yourself with whatever you’re doing, you lose valuable response time,” Cintron said.
A Department of Transportation grant added 50 new laser speed guns have been deployed across the state. The devices are capable of recording speed, taking pictures of a vehicle, and also record a short video. Cintron says officers are patrolling in marked and unmarked cars.
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Connecticut
Hamden Man Killed In Crash On I-91 In New Haven: Police
![Hamden Man Killed In Crash On I-91 In New Haven: Police](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22791208/20240715/073631/styles/patch_image/public/patch-grpahic-news-alert-police___15193608234.jpg)
NEW HAVEN, CT — A Hamden man was killed in a crash on I-91 in New Haven on Monday afternoon, according to Connecticut State Police.
The crash happened around 12:45 p.m. in the area of Exit 2 on I-91 South.
Police said an investigation found that Segundo Manuel Guaman, 59, was driving his 2002 Toyota Camry in the left lane of four travel lanes on I-91 South near Exit 2.
The Camry then veered toward the right across all other lanes “for an unknown reason” and struck the Exit 2 off-ramp sign, and a light pole before coming to a final rest after striking a highway gantry post, according to police.
Police said Guaman was unresponsive at the scene and taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
I-91 South was closed for about three hours near Exit 2, according to police.
Police are continuing to investigate the crash. Any witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Michael Trudeau at 203-696-2500 or Michael.Trudeau@ct.gov.
Anyone who was driving through the area at the time of the crash and might have dashcam video is also asked to contact Trudeau.
Connecticut
Skimming Devices Found At 2 Grocery Stores, Investigation Launched: CT News
![Skimming Devices Found At 2 Grocery Stores, Investigation Launched: CT News](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22791208/20240715/075848/styles/patch_image/public/patch-news-update-1___15195426479.jpg)
Patch PM CT brings you the breaking and trending news stories from all across Connecticut each weeknight. Here are those stories:
Company officials said they are “actively investigating” after two skimming devices were found at local stores in Connecticut. Here are the details from officials.>>>Read More.
State police announced charges against a suspect accused of being responsible for the death of a teen who fell out of a pickup truck.>>>Read More.
Police said a person drowning in the river was rescued by police and other emergency officials.>>>Read More.
When this doctor turned 70, the hospital where he worked forced him to retire. Now, 23 years later, he’s busier than ever as an artist.>>>Read More.
Police report these two-, three-, and four-wheeled ATVs are stolen and being driven in parks and on sidewalks.>>>Read More.
Scarlett Gerber, 17, made a new friend at the local farm, Dolly, a baby goat.>>>Read More.
Other top stories:
The Patch community platform serves communities all across Connecticut in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, New London, Hartford, Tolland, and Litchfield counties. Thank you for reading.
Connecticut
Arrest Made After Knife Incident At Grocery Store In Windham
![Arrest Made After Knife Incident At Grocery Store In Windham](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/103600/20240715/021241/styles/patch_image/public/screen-shot-2024-07-15-at-20411-pm___15140507570.png)
WILLIMANTIC, CT — An eastern Connecticut man is facing criminal charges after an armed disturbance at a Windham grocery store, state police said.
The incident took place at 6:08 p.m. At 422 Windham Road, according to state police. Thats the address of Bob’s Windham IGA.
A caller told state police that a man outside the store was holding a knife and maybe even threatening the manager with it. Willimantic officers also responded to the scene, according to an incident report.
According to an incident report, the man, later identified as 31-year-old Canterbury resident Alexander Clemmons, became involved in a verbal argument with another man outside the store. Clemmons is accused of first displaying a knife and then pointing it toward the customer and a woman who was with him, according to an incident report.
Store employees attempted to intervene, and Clemmons confronted them as well, according to an incident report. A witness began recording on video Clemmons and he put the knife away, but pulled out pepper spray, according to an incident report.
A woman then approached bystanders and said she and Clemmons would leave in her vehicle and a store manager said they would not be able to return, according to an incident report. Clemmons is then accused of exiting the vehicle, taking the knife back out of his pocket, and pointing it at the store manager while saying he intended to return to the store.
That’s when an employee called 911, according to an. incident report.
Troopers located a folding knife and a container of pepper spray on Clemmons after they arrived.
Clemmons was charged with:
- Second-degree breach of peace
- Reckless endangerment
- Threatening
- Third-degree criminal trespass
Clemmons was held Sunday on a $20,000 bond and was to appear in Danielson Superior Court on Monday, state police said.
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