New Milford DUI Driver Struck Police Cruiser, Officer Injured: PD

NORWALK, CT — A New Milford man, Carlos Gavilano, 55, of Willow Springs, is accused of driving while under the influence at the time his vehicle crashed into a Norwalk police officer's cruiser, police said.

At 11:47 p.m. Saturday, a police officer was struck while driving in the area of 205 Main Street by a Jeep Grand Cherokee, police said.

The vehicle then fled the scene, but responding officers located the suspect and vehicle shortly after, police said. The suspect vehicle had heavy damage and was disabled in the vicinity of the accident, police said.

The officer struck was transported to Norwalk Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. An investigation revealed that the suspect had struck another vehicle in the area of 157 Main Street prior to hitting the police cruiser, police said. The operator of that vehicle denied injuries, police said.

Gavilano was arrested and transported to police headquarters and is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, evading responsibility resulting in serious physical injury, evading responsibility resulting in property damage, and failure to maintain lane. He was given a $25,000 bond.