Details Released On Chesterfield Accident In Tuesday

The Connecticut State Police have released additional information on a Tuesday afternoon accident that snarled traffic at the intersection of Route 85 and Route 161 in Chesterfield.

According to an accident report provided by Sgt. James Nicholson of Connecticut State Police Troop E, a stolen vehicle ran a red light before colliding with a propane truck at the intersection at about 2:30 p.m. Both drivers suffered injuries in the accident, and an Old Saybrook man was arrested on multiple charges.

The 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, owned by Clifford Winkel of Old Lyme, was stolen from Sam's Gas Station at the intersection of Route 1 and Elm Street in Old Saybrook. An Old Lyme police officer began tried to pull over the vehicle after spotting it traveling north on I-95 by the Baldwin Bridge but the driver refused, according to police. Officers from Old Lyme and State Police Troop F continued chasing the vehicle and left the interstate at exit 73, continuing north on Route 161. Troop E troopers and East Lyme police officers joined the pursuit when it entered their coverage area. 

According to the accident report, the stolen vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Route 85 and Route 161 and collided with the left side of a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado owned by Osterman Propane. The impact caused the propane truck to go off the right shoulder and overturn in an adjacent pond, while the stolen truck came to a rest on a guardrail.

Trooper Tim Bentley from Troop E and East Lyme Police Officer Cutillo, who was recently named East Lyme's officer of the year, were credited with pulling the driver of the propane truck from the wreck. Jeffrey Weed, a 49-year-old Norwich resident, suffered serious injuries and was flown by Life Star to the Hartford Hospital.

Paul F. Deckelman, 31, of 97 Elm Street in Old Saybrook, was detained at the scene and arrested after he was treated for facial injuries at Backus Hospital. Deckelman has been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault, reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer, and failure to obey traffic signal. 

The investigation into the crash is continuing, and anyone with information should contact Troop E at 860-848-6506.

Lymes Patch Local Editor Jayne Keedle contributed to this report.