Hartford Man Arrested for Reckless Driving After Fleeing Traffic Stop in Hartford
- csppio
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
On May 27, 2025, at approximately 10:16 hours, a Trooper assigned to Troop H - Hartford was patrolling I-84 west in the area of Exit 48. At this time, the Trooper observed a black Acura TL traveling at a high rate of speed faster than the flow of traffic. Furthermore, the Acura was observed to have a registration plate attached that did not belong on the vehicle and was weaving in and out of lanes, nearly colliding with multiple vehicles.
The Trooper observed the Acura exit the highway at exit 47 and followed the vehicle off the exit. The Trooper activated their emergency lights and sirens on Park Terrace to conduct a traffic stop. The Acura initially pulled over, however while the Trooper was approaching the vehicle, the operator of the Acura accelerated at a high rate of speed to elude the traffic stop. Due to the hazard posed to the public, the Trooper terminated attempts to stop the eluding vehicle.
After contacting the owner of the misuse registration plate, Troopers learned that the Acura had been recently sold on an online marketplace. The seller identified the buyer as Joseph Santana (DOB 10/30/1998), of Hartford. Troopers went to Santana's residence where they spoke with family members who confirmed he was driving the Acura and stated that he was currently at work in Hartford. Troopers obtained a phone number for Santana and contacted him, and Santana agreed to meet at Troop H. Upon arrival, Santana admitted to driving the Acura at the time of the incident, and fled the traffic stop because he was afraid to be pulled over.
Santana was placed under arrest without incident and transported into Troop H for processing. Santana was charged with the following:
C.G.S. 14-222 - Reckless Driving
C.G.S. 14-232(a)(1) - Improper Passing
C.G.S. 14-223(a) - Disobeying the Signal of an Officer
C.G.S 14-147(c) - Improper Use of Registration
C.G.S. 14-213b - Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Minimum Insurance
C.G.S. 14-12(a)* - Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Registration
C.G.S. 14-299 - Failure to Obey Traffic Control Signals
C.G.S. 53a-167a - Interfering with an Officer
C.G.S. 53a-64 - Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree
Santana was issued a $2,500 bond which he was able to post and is scheduled to appear at Hartford Superior Court on 06/17/2025.
Please see the attached body worn camera video and criminal information summary.
