On 09/06/2024 at approximately 9:27 AM, Troopers assigned to Troop A in Southbury responded to I-84 Westbound near exit 19 in Waterbury for a two-car motor vehicle collision. Prior to their arrival, responding Troopers were advised that one of the involved vehicles, described as a white Hyundai Elantra, fled the scene of the collision. A witness to the collision provided Troop A dispatch with the Hyundai’s Connecticut registration and informed them that the Hyundai took exit 17 and was traveling on Chase Parkway in Waterbury.
A responding Trooper driving Westbound on Chase Parkway observed the Hyundai traveling Eastbound. The Trooper made a U-turn and caught up to the Hyundai, which was stopped at the traffic light at Chase Parkway and Country Club Road, and positioned their cruiser behind the Hyundai. Once the traffic light turned green, the Hyundai turned left to continue Eastbound on Chase Parkway. The Trooper located a safe area to stop the vehicle and initiated their emergency lights and siren. The operator of the Hyundai pulled over to the right shoulder but continued to travel at a low rate of speed. When the Trooper positioned their cruiser beside the Hyundai to visually identify the operator, the operator of the Hyundai began to accelerate.
In response, the Trooper positioned their cruiser in a manner to prevent the vehicle from leaving the scene. The Trooper then exited their cruiser at which point the operator of the Hyundai began to drive in reverse. The Trooper then observed the operator of the Hyundai shift the vehicle into drive and steer the vehicle in their direction, posing a deadly threat towards the Trooper. In response, the Trooper drew his duty firearm and gave the operator verbal directives to put the vehicle in park. The operator immediately complied and placed the vehicle in park. The Trooper then approached the driver’s side door and gave the operator verbal directives to exit the vehicle. The operator explained he could not open the door due to the damage sustained to the vehicle, so the Trooper attempted to assist opening the driver’s side door. At that moment, the operator put the vehicle’s transmission in drive, fleeing from the scene and nearly dragging the Trooper.
The Trooper returned to their cruiser, notified Troop A dispatch of what just occurred, and began searching for the vehicle. Moments later, the Trooper observed the Hyundai traveling with the flow of traffic on Riverside Street in Waterbury. The Trooper continued to follow the Hyundai from a safe distance as additional Troopers responded to their location.
The Hyundai merged onto Route 8 Southbound from the exit 30 entrance ramp and began to travel Southbound. Troop I dispatch in Bethany was advised of the situation. The Trooper then observed the Hyundai traveling on the exit 26 off-ramp into Naugatuck, before briefly losing sight of it. A nearby Beacon Falls Police Officer observed the Hyundai traveling Southbound on Route 63 in Naugatuck. The Beacon Falls Officer initiated a motor vehicle stop and the operator of the Hyundai engaged in a pursuit.
The pursuit continued Southbound on Route 63. As they approached the intersection of Bowman Drive, the operator of the Hyundai swerved around vehicles stopped at the traffic light. In doing so, the Hyundai drove onto the front yard of a residence and struck trees, rendering the vehicle inoperable.
The operator exited the Hyundai and engaged the Beacon Falls Officer in a foot pursuit. The Officer was able to catch up and secure the fleeing operator.
The operator identified himself to Troopers as Christopher Robinson, DOB 09/22/1991, of Cheshire. While on scene, Robinson was evaluated by EMS and declined further medical treatment.
Based on the information detailed above, Christopher was arrested and transported to Troop I, where he was processed and charged with the following violations:
C.G.S. 53a-63, Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree
C.G.S. 53a-167a, Interfering with an Officer
C.G.S. 14-215, Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension
C.G.S. 14-223(b)**, Engaging Police in Pursuit
C.G.S. 14-223(a), Disobeying a Signal of an Officer
C.G.S. 14-222 Reckless Driving
For the above charges, Christopher was released on a $100,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at Waterbury Superior Court on 09/24/2024.
As a result of the incident involving the motor vehicle collision, Christopher was separately charged with the following violations:
C.G.S. 14-215, Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension
C.G.S. 14-224(b)(3), Evading Responsibility in Operation of Motor Vehicles
C.G.S. 14-236, Failure to Drive in Proper Lane
For these additional charges, Christopher was released on a $2,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at Waterbury Superior Court on 09/26/2024.
No Troopers or Officers were injured as a result of this incident.
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