Suspected Drunken Driver Hits State Police Cruiser On Highway In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — A state police cruiser was hit while at a previous crash scene on Tuesday.

According to state police crash and arrest reports, at 4:58 p.m. Monday, state police from the Troop H barracks responded to a motor vehicle crash in Manchester on the Interstate 84 Westbound Exit 59 ramp that takes vehicles onto Interstate 384 Eastbound.

While Troopers were investigating the crash, Eric Essuman, 53, of Manchester, was heading toward the scene in a 2012 Toyota Rav4, according to crash and arrest reports. Essuman's vehicle crossed into the right shoulder and stuck a state police cruiser from behind, according to crash and arrest reports.

Essuman reported no injuries, and the trooper at the crash scene sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, state police said.

The trooper was released from the hospital soon after, state police said.

While at the crash scene, Essuman showed signs of impairment and subsequently failed sobriety tests, according to crash and arrest reports. He was then transported to Troop H and charged with driving under the influence, failure to maintain the proper lane, following too closely (resulting in a collision) and failure to slow down/move over.

Essuman was later released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court on Dec. 16, state police said.