Norwich Man Arrested for OUI, Engaging in Pursuit After Passing DOT Pattern on RT 2 in Colchester
- csppio
- May 1
- 3 min read
On Wednesday April 30, 2025, Troop K - Colchester began receiving multiple "911" calls reporting a Lexus sedan driving erratically on Route 2 west, in the Town of Bozrah. The vehicle was reported to have fresh damage to its front bumper indicating it had recently been in a collision.
Troopers were able to locate the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on the Lexus on RT 2 west in the Town of Colchester. Troopers then discovered that the Lexus had a fraudulent registration attached to the rear of the vehicle, which would prevent the operator from being identified. After being briefly stopped, the operator of the Lexus eluded the traffic stop before the Trooper could make contact with them. The Lexus then continued to travel westbound toward Colchester, and the vehicle was not pursued at this time.
The Lexus continued westbound on RT 2, towards an active Department of Transportation (DOT) construction pattern in Colchester. Troopers were conducting a 'slow roll' with two DOT crash attenuator trucks blocking both westbound lanes of travel as construction workers were setting up lane closures ahead. The Lexus began to pass vehicles in the left shoulder before getting blocked by the Troopers and crash trucks.
The Lexus turned on the highway and went around the 'slow roll' in the grass and continued westbound towards the construction workers setting up the construction pattern. With the Lexus bearing a fraudulent registration, the work zone safety cameras could not assist in identifying the operator who was now endangering the lives of the construction workers on the highway.
Troopers setting the construction pattern with DOT then attempted to stop the Lexus, and the operator subsequently engaged Troopers in pursuit. Given the closure for the construction pattern, there was no traffic present on RT 2 westbound. The Lexus reached speeds exceeding 120 mph, ultimately exiting RT 2 at exit 8. The vehicle lost control and collided with another vehicle off of Exit 8 (Oak Street) in the Town of Glastonbury. Immediately following the collision, the vehicle was pinned on the right side by a State Police cruiser to prevent the operator from attempting to flee. The operator was identified as Marcus Douton (DOB 12/20/2000), of Norwich. Douton was placed under arrest, and a search of his person and vehicle revealed numerous narcotics. Furthermore, the Lexus was not insured, Douton's operator's license was suspended, and he showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were conducted where Douton did not perform to standard.
Douton was transported to Troop K for processing where he was charged with the following:
C.G.S. 14-12(a)* - Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
C.G.S. 14-147(a) - Operating with a Fraudulent Registration Plate
C.G.S. 14-213b - Operating a Motor Vehicle without Minimum Insurance
C.G.S. 14-215 - Operating Under Suspension
C.G.S. 14-222 - Reckless Driving
C.G.S. 14-223(b)** - Engaging Police in Pursuit
C.G.S. 14-227a - Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs
C.G.S. 14-36(a) - Operating a Motor Vehicle without a License
C.G.S. 21a-267 - Possession of Narcotic Paraphernalia
C.G.S. 53a-130 - Criminal Impersonation
C.G.S. 53a-139 - Forgery in the Second Degree
C.G.S. 53a-167a - Interfering with an Officer
C.G.S. 53a-63 - Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (5 Counts)
There were no injuries to Douton, occupants of the vehicle he struck or State Police Personnel. One State Police cruiser sustained minor damage after making contact with the Lexus.
Douton was also found to be wanted by Troop E - Montville for an active Failure to Appear warrant.
Douton was held on a total of $135,000 bonds, awaiting a court date of 05/01/2025 at Norwich Superior Court.
Please see attached criminal information summary.
