HARTFORD, Conn. — State police said a trooper was injured after he used his cruiser to try and stop a wrong-way driver in Hartford. This is the second time a trooper has been injured in a wrong-way crash this week.
The crash happened around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday as Trooper Charles Luby was driving westbound on Jennings Road.
As Luby drove to the intersection with Interstate 91 South, Exit 33 on-ramp, a Honda Pilot SUV driven by 43-year-old Christopher Velazquez was driving the wrong way.
According to state police, the SUV entered the intersection and turned east onto Jennings Road, still driving the wrong way.
Luby, who was on duty, positioned his cruiser to try to stop the SUV, attempting to prevent it from crashing head-on with drivers behind the cruiser.
Police said the move caused a side-swipe crash, and the cruiser struck a pole. Luby was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries, according to officials.
Following the crash, the SUV drove down the I-91 southbound exit 33 ramp once more, this time driving in the correct direction before it broke down on the ramp.
State police said Velazquez then ran from the scene on foot.
More on Velazquez is not known at this time; however, "multiple arrests" are expected in connection with the incident as the investigation continues, according to state police.
This crash happened two days after another trooper used their cruiser to try and stop a wrong-way driver in East Hartford.
Troopers were called to Route 2 just before 4 a.m. on Sunday on the report of a wrong-way driver going west in the eastbound lanes. The car was driving the wrong way on the right shoulder and hit a state police cruiser trying to stop it. That trooper was also injured in the crash.
State police eventually managed to stop the car along Route 5/15, which was going south in the northbound lanes. The driver was arrested after showing signs of driving under the influence and being uncooperative with troopers.
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Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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