Man, 83, Drove Wrong Way On I-95 In Madison, Hits Police Cruiser: State Police

MADISON, CT — A Rhode Island man is accused of driving the wrong way on Interstate 95 in Madison, and the man's vehicle struck a state police cruiser, state police said.

At 3:42 a.m. Monday, Troop F in Westbrook received multiple calls reporting a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes on I-95 in the area of Exit 60 in Madison, state police said.

"A responding trooper located a vehicle matching the description provided traveling the wrong-way and attempted to stop the accused vehicle," state police said in a news release. "The accused vehicle struck the state police cruiser, causing damage to the cruiser, prior to coming to a stop. No injuries were reported at the scene."

The operator of the wrong-way vehicle, identified as Paul Usenia, 83, of Exeter, Rhode Island, declined medical assistance at the scene, state police said.

During the on-scene investigation, Usenia was asked to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which he declined to participate in, state police said. Usenia was subsequently taken into custody and transported to Troop F in Westbrook, where he was processed and charged with the following: operating under the influence, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, and driving the wrong-way on a divided highway.

He was released on a $500 non-surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at New Haven Superior Court, on July 7.

"We thank the members of the public who did not hesitate to call 9-1-1 to report this incident. As always, we ask that anyone who observes a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction please keep a safe distance away and call 9-1-1 as soon as possible, as this is a true emergency," state police said.