Speeding Driver Dies Following Crash In Groton, Police Say

GROTON, CT — A person is dead after speeding away from an officer and crashing on Route 12 in Groton, according to police.

A patrol officer spotted a 1996 Geo Prizm speeding northbound on Route 12 at 2:36 a.m. Tuesday. At the intersection with Kings Highway, the car went through a red traffic light.

The Geo then made an illegal U-turn at another red light at Route 12 and Pleasant Valley Road South, police said. The officer activated his emergency lights in an attempt to stop the car in the area of the Super 8 Motel at 173 Route 12.

The Geo continued speeding southbound on Route 12 where it becomes Long Hill Road South. The car then tried to make a right turn onto Kings Highway but struck a steel traffic pole on the corner, according to police.

The injured driver was taken by ambulance to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Hospital staff later declared the man dead.

While attempting to remove the driver from the crashed car, the officer spotted a loaded handgun, police said.

The person's ID is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Long Hill Road in the area of Kings Highway was closed to traffic while the crash was being investigated. The road reopened at about 9 a.m.

This crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information can call the Groton Police Department at 860-441-6712.