Connecticut
State police cruiser struck while stopping wrong way driver on I-95
MADISON, Conn. (WFSB) – A man from Exeter, R.I. is facing charges after driving on I-95 in the wrong direction.
Public safety dispatchers received multiple calls around 3:42 a.m. Monday morning after a pick-up truck was seen traveling the wrong way in Madison on I-95.
A responding state trooper encountered a vehicle matching the description and they attempted to stop the vehicle near exit 60.
Prior to coming to a full stop, the wrong-way vehicle struck the state police vehicle at a slow speed, causing minor damage to the cruiser.
Officials say the trooper was uninjured in the collision.
The operator of the vehicle was subsequently identified as Paul Usenia, 82-years-old of Exeter, R.I.
Usenia declined medical attention and refused to participate in standardized field sobriety testing.
As a result of a state police investigation, Usenia was taken into custody and transported to Troop F in Westbrook.
He faces charges for operating under the influence, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, and driving the wrong way on a divided highway.
Following arrest processing, Usenia was released on a $500.00 non-Surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at New Haven Superior Court, on July 7th, 2023.
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