Hartford Man, 21, Drove Drunk Going The Wrong Way In Hartford: Police

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man has been accused by state police of driving the wrong way on Interstate 84 in Hartford while intoxicated Monday night prior to crashing twice and fleeing on foot.

According to Connecticut State Police, Danilo Hernandez, 21, of Hartford, was charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance; reckless driving; evading responsibility for injury/property damage; illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs; driving the wrong way on a divided highway; operating a motor vehicle without a license; interfering with a police officer/resisting arrest; and second-degree reckless endangerment.

Hernandez was held on a $10,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court Tuesday, April 1. No injuries were reported.

According to police, at about 8:47 p.m. on Monday, March 31, the Troop H state barracks in Hartford received a wrong-way detection alert of a vehicle entering I-84 westbound from Exit 47 in Hartford.

Police said the vehicle was determined to be a Nissan Murano sport utility vehicle traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes.

"As Troopers were responding to the area, the wrong-way vehicle collided with another vehicle on the ramp in a sideswipe manner collision," police wrote in a report released Tuesday.

"The Murano then carried on, crossing all lanes of travel and driving the wrong way in the left lane of I-84 westbound."

Shortly thereafter, the Murano collided with the metal beam guardrail in the center median and became disabled on top of the guardrail, police said.

According to police, the operator exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

"No injuries were reported by any of the involved parties, and the Murano was later determined to be uninsured," wrote police.

Responding Troopers quickly located Hernandez running from the accident scene on the Capitol Avenue on-ramp to I-84 westbound and detained him without further incident, police said.

Police said Hernandez was exhibiting "clear signs of impairment on scene, to include glossy, bloodshot eyes and severely unsteady on his feet."

As a result, the investigating trooper held Hernandez up at times to prevent him from falling over.

The Hartford Police Department responded to assist Troop H personnel with a K9 track.

The police dog, CSP said, was able to establish a trail from Hernandez to the crashed Nissan.

Hernandez was subsequently taken into custody and transported to Troop H.

A field sobriety test was conducted at Troop H, which Hernandez failed, police said..

For more informatoin and the full announcement, click on this link.