Hartford Man Accused Of Fleeing Traffic Stop On I-84: Police

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man is facing several motor vehicle charges after State Police said he fled a traffic stop for speeding just off Interstate 84 in Hartford on Tuesday.

Connecticut State Police said Wednesday Joseph Santana, 27, of Hartford, was charged with reckless driving, improper passing, disobehing the signal of an officer, improper use of registration, operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, operating a motor vehicle without registration, failure to obet traffic control signals, interfering with an officer; and second-degree reckless endangerment.

Santana was released Tuesday after posting $2,500 bond and he is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court June 17.

Police said, on Tuesday, May 27, at about 10:16 a.m., a trooper assigned to Troop H - Hartford was patrolling I-84 West in the area of Exit 48.

At this time, the Trooper observed a black Acura TL traveling at a high rate of speed, faster than the flow of traffic, police said.

The Acura was observed to have a registration plate attached that did not belong on the vehicle and was weaving in and out of lanes, nearly colliding with multiple vehicles, according to police.

The trooper observed the Acura exit the highway at Exit 47 and followed the vehicle off the exit, police said.

According to police, the trooper activated emergency lights and sirens on Park Terrace to conduct a traffic stop.

"The Acura initially pulled over; however, while the trooper was approaching the vehicle, the operator of the Acura accelerated at a high rate of speed to elude the traffic stop," wrote police in a report.

"Due to the hazard posed to the public, the trooper terminated attempts to stop the eluding vehicle."

After contacting the owner of the misused registration plate, troopers learned that the Acura had been recently sold on an online marketplace, police said.

The seller identified the buyer as Santana and troopers went to Santana's residence where they spoke with family members who confirmed he was driving the Acura and he was at work in Hartford, according to state police.

Troopers obtained a phone number for Santana and contacted him, and Santana agreed to meet at Troop H, police said.

"Upon arrival, Santana admitted to driving the Acura at the time of the incident, and fled the traffic stop because he was afraid to be pulled over," wrote police in the report.

Santana was taken into custody without incident and transported into Troop H for processing.

For more information on the incident, including a video of the situation, click on this link.