Learner's Permit Driver Scuffles With Troopers In Milford: Report

MILFORD, CT — A Traffic stop in Milford turned into a scuffle between state troopers and a Vernon woman driving with only a learner's permit in a heavily tinted car, a report says.

The incident unraveled at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, state police said.

A trooper was patrolling Interstate 95 in the left lane near Exit 40 in Milford. The trooper was then passed by a white Volkswagen Jetta with heavily tinted windows that was in the center lane, according to an incident report.

The Volkswagen merged into the left lane, right in front of the state police cruiser and its speeds exceeded 87 mph, according to an incident report. The VW made multiple reckless lane changes after accelerating before exiting I-95 using the exit 35 off ramp, according to an incident report.

A DMV query of the vehicle's registration showed that it had been expired since June 2023, state police said.

The trooper followed the vehicle into the parking lot of a business on Bridgeport Avenue in Milford and stopped it, according to an incident report. The driver and sole occupant was identified by her learner's permit as Maria Diaz, 23, of Vernon, state police said.

According to an incident report, Diaz asked the trooper why she was being followed, at which point the trooper advised Diaz that she was stopped for her speed previously observed on I-95. Diaz became argumentative with the trooper and claimed she was not speeding and he did not have a reason for stopping her, according to an incident report.

A second Trooper then arrived at the scene, according to an incident report.

Diaz was asked to step out of the vehicle, at which time she exited the vehicle, walked to the passenger side and attempted to re-enter the vehicle from the rear passenger side door, according to an incident report. A trooper then attempted to hold Diaz by the arm, but she pulled away and continued efforts to re-enter her vehicle from the rear passenger side door, according to an incident report.

Both troopers began to take her into custody, and she began kicking troopers, according to an incident report.

She was eventually subdued and transported to Troop G, where she was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, reckless driving, driving without a license, violating tinted auto glass requirements and interfering with police.

Diaz was later released from custody on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear at Milford Superior Court on Nov. 14, state police said.