On Sunday, April 3, 2022, at approximately 4:49 AM, an on-duty Trooper was traveling on I-84 westbound in the area of Exit #58, in East Hartford, when he observed a Chevrolet Malibu traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes. The Trooper attempted to stop the wrong-way vehicle by activating his emergency lights and sirens. The front left corner of the Trooper's assigned cruiser was then struck by the Chevrolet Malibu, causing damage to both vehicles. The Trooper was transported to an area hospital for evaluation and has since been released.
The operator of the Chevrolet Malibu was identified as Dennis Bessey (DOB 01/29/1986). Standardized field sobriety tests were administered during the investigation, which Bessey did not perform to standard. As a result, Bessey was arrested and charged with the following:
C.G.S. 14-227a Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
C.G.S. 53a-64 Reckless Endangerment
C.G.S. 14-237 Driving the Wrong Way on a Divided Highway
Bessy was released on a $50,000.00 surety bond and is scheduled to appear at GA #12, Manchester Superior Court on Monday, April 18, 2022.
