A state police trooper is expected to be OK after a car crashed into his cruiser Saturday morning.
This all unfolded around 3:15 on I-91 South just before exit 27 in Hartford.
State police say a Kia Sportage drove through an extensive pattern of flares that had set up in the left lane before plowing into Trooper Aaron Pelletier’s cruiser from the middle and side. The car then traveled across all four lanes of traffic and eventually came to rest on the right shoulder.
Trooper Pelletier, as well as the driver and passenger of the KIA Sportage, suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash. The trooper’s K9 was not injured.
“The importance of drivers reducing their speed and moving into a lane to provide adequate space for stationary vehicles, emergency personnel, road construction workers and tow truck operators cannot be overemphasized enough. When driving a vehicle, avoid distractions and focus your attention on the road ahead,” Connecticut State Police said in a statement.
Authorities did not say what prompted the trooper to stop and set off a flare pattern.
The driver of the Sportage, identified as Jared Brunson, 26, of New Haven, was found at fault in the crash and issued misdemeanor citations for reckless endangerment and failure to maintain lane of travel .
