By Tiffany Williams –
ROCKY HILL, Conn. — A 17-year-old from Manchester, Connecticut, is facing multiple charges after state police say he drove more than 50 miles per hour over the speed limit and refused to stop for a Trooper on I-91 southbound Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred around 10:34 a.m. on July 16 near Exit 24, when a Trooper assigned to Troop H in Hartford observed a gray Toyota Corolla traveling in the right lane at a high rate of speed. The Trooper matched the vehicle’s speed and determined it was traveling at 118 mph in a posted 65 mph zone.
Police said the Trooper activated emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop and began weaving through heavy traffic. Due to the potential risk to public safety, the Trooper did not pursue the vehicle further. However, the license plate was recorded and later confirmed to match the vehicle observed.
A follow-up investigation led Troopers to the registered owner’s address in Manchester, where a family member identified the operator as Nicholas Rodrigue, born April 12, 2007. Rodrigue returned home and was arrested without incident.
Rodrigue was transported to Troop H and charged with:
– Reckless Driving (CGS 14-222)
– Disobeying the Signal of an Officer (CGS 14-223(a))
– Failure to Maintain Proper Lane on a Limited Access Highway (CGS 14-236)
– Interfering with an Officer/Resisting (CGS 53a-167a)
– Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (CGS 53a-63)
Troopers also interviewed a witness who said they were on the phone with Rodrigue during the attempted traffic stop. The witness reported hearing sirens and stated they urged Rodrigue to pull over, but he refused.
Rodrigue was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Aug. 1.