On Saturday, 11/09/24 at approximately 11:41 PM, a Trooper assigned to the Mansfield Resident Trooper's Office was on patrol conducting proactive speed enforcement. The Trooper was traveling southbound on Hunting Lodge Rd when they observed a Toyota Tacoma pickup ahead of them which appeared to be traveling well above the posted speed limit of 25 mph. The Trooper began to clock the Tacoma's speed by calibrated speedometer, to which the Trooper observed the vehicle reaching speeds of 50 mph.
Based upon this observation, the Trooper activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. The operator of the Tacoma initially failed to comply with the Trooper's signal to stop and continued driving at the same speeds for approximately one half mile. The operator eventually complied and came to a stop on King Hill Drive in Mansfield.
Once safely stopped, the Trooper made contact with the operator who was positively identified as Nicholas Wright (DOB 12/22/2003), of Ridgefield. The Trooper observed that Wright's eyes were blood shot and detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. The Trooper asked Wright if he had consumed alcohol prior to driving, to which Wright initially explained that he had not. The Trooper also observed that Wright was not 21 years of age. Based upon these observations, the Trooper requested Wright submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.
Wright agreed to participate to SFST's, and prior to testing was asked again if he had consumed alcohol. Wright disclosed at this time that he had two (2) shots at a friend's house before going out. Wright subsequently failed to perform testing to standard and was arrested without incident at approximately 11:58 PM. Wright was then transported to Troop C, where he was processed for the following charges:
CGS 14-219Y21Z; Speeding
CGS 14-223(a)*; Disobeying Signal of an Officer (Subsequent Offense)
CGS 14-227a; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs
Wright was later released from custody on a $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear at Rockville Superior Court on 12/04/24. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
