Driver Ejected From Vehicle After Car Strikes Trees, Cheshire Police Say

CHESHIRE, CT — One person sustained life-threatening injuries in a crash, police said.

At 11:32 p.m. Saturday, police received a 911 call from a motorist whose vehicle had just been struck by a white color 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe at the intersection of Knotter Drive and Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike (Rt 322) in Southington, police said.

The caller reported that after the collision, the Tahoe sped off at a high rate of speed into Cheshire, where they lost sight of the vehicle as it proceeded east on West Johnson Avenue, toward Highland Avenue (Rt 10), police said.

"Moments later, the caller came upon a single-vehicle crash scene, involving the same Tahoe, in front of #181 West Johnson Ave and found the operator of the Tahoe laying on the ground, unconscious, police said. "Cheshire Police, Cheshire Fire, and Trinity Ambulance all responded and provided medical assistance to the operator and sole occupant of the Tahoe, who was transported to St. Mary's Hospital."

"The preliminary investigation revealed the Tahoe was traveling eastbound on West Johnson Ave at a high rate of speed when it crossed over the double yellow center lines and into the westbound lane, where it left the north side of the roadway in front of #181 West Johnson Avenue," police said in a news release. "The Tahoe struck several trees off the roadway, causing heavy damage to the vehicle and the operator to be ejected, before the Tahoe came to rest back in the roadway. The operator suffered life threatening injuries and was transported to St. Mary's Hospital where they remain in critical condition at this time."

The Southington Police Department is investigating the initial crash at the intersection of Knotter Drive and Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike (Rt 322) and the Cheshire Police Department is investigating the second crash.

Due to the seriousness of the second crash, the Cheshire Police Department activated a response from the Naugatuck Valley Collision Investigation Team and members from Naugatuck Police Department assisted Cheshire Police investigators at the scene, police said.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact Officer Kevin Zaksewicz at 203-271-5541 or kzaksewicz@cheshirect.gov.