State Trooper Escapes Injury When Impaired Driver Hits Cruiser

An impaired driver hit a state police cruiser on Interstate 95 in East Haven early Friday morning, according to state police. The trooper was not in the cruiser at the time and was not injured.

State police said it happened on Interstate 95 North in East Haven, near exit 52, just after 12:30 a.m.

The state trooper had pulled over to help a driver in a Kia Sedona who had run out of gas, according to a video state police released.

The state trooper’s cruiser was behind the Kia with the emergency lights on, and a 32-year-old East Lyme man hit the left side of the state police cruiser, which hit the back of the Kia, according to state police.

State police said the East Lyme man showed signs of impairment and was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs and following too closely, resulting in a motor vehicle accident.

He was released on a $500 bond, and he is due in court on April 13.

State police said he was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

The state trooper, the other driver and the passenger in the Kia were not hurt, state police said.