On Tuesday, 03/11/25 at approximately 6:42 AM, Troop H-Hartford received numerous 911 calls regarding a single vehicle accident on I-84 west near exit 40 in West Hartford. As Troopers were responding, Troop H Dispatch observed the accident scene from an area DOT camera and relayed to responding Troopers that the vehicle was facing sideways in the right lane, creating an immediate traffic hazard. The vehicle was identified to be a Honda Accord.
Prior to the arrival of Troopers on scene, Troop H Dispatch observed a second vehicle stop at the accident scene. This vehicle was determined to be an Acura TSX, and the operator of the Honda was seen on camera getting into the Acura from the driver side door before leaving the scene. Troop H Dispatch provided this information to responding Troopers, and the Acura was subsequently located and stopped a short distance from the accident scene of the abandoned Honda.
Upon safely stopping the Acura, the operator was positively identified as Chaviel Gonzalez (DOB 04/09/2003), of Hartford. Based upon the real-time information received from Troop H Dispatch, Troopers questioned Gonzalez as to why he left the scene of the accident. Gonzalez initially explained to Troopers that he was not involved in an accident, however later admitted that he was driving the Honda at the time of the accident and later left the scene in the Acura. Further investigation determined that both the Honda and Acura were unregistered, uninsured and displayed misused registration plates. Both vehicles were later towed.
Gonzalez was subsequently arrested without incident and transported to Troop H, where he was processed on the following charges:
CGS 14-12(a)*; Operating/Parking Unregistered Motor Vehicle (2 counts)
CGS 14-147(c); Misuse of Registration Plate (2 counts)
CGS 14-213b; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Without Minimum Insurance (2 counts)
CGS 14-224(b)(3); Evading Responsibility
CGS 53a-167a; Interfering with an Officer/Resisting
Gonzalez was later released from custody on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear at Hartford Superior Court on 04/04/25. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
