On Monday, 02/24/25 at approximately 10:13 AM, personnel from Troop H-Hartford were dispatched to a two-car motor vehicle accident on the exit 58 off ramp from I-84 eastbound in East Hartford. Upon arrival on scene, Troopers determined that the accident was a front to rear-end collision between the two vehicles and determined the at-fault operator failed to drive at a reasonable distance apart.
The at-fault operator was positively identified as Elizabeth Burnham (DOB 01/17/90), of East Hartford. Burnham had one passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident, a two-year-old child. Burnham explained to Troopers on scene that she was not able to stop in time and collided with the rear end of the vehicle ahead of her. No injuries were reported on scene. While speaking with Burnham, Troopers began to observe clear signs of intoxication to include slurred speech and delayed body movement. Burnham admitted to Troopers on scene that she had used crack/cocaine prior to driving.
Based upon this, Burnham was requested to submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Burnham agreed to submit to testing and subsequently failed. Burnham was arrested on site and a search of her vehicle incident to arrest led to the discovery of suspected fentanyl, suspected crack/cocaine, and a glass pipe consistent with the use of crack/cocaine. The suspected narcotics and paraphernalia were seized as evidence in this investigation and Burnham's vehicle was later towed.
A family member was contacted to take custody of the minor child and the Department of Children and Families was advised of this incident. Burnham was transported to Troop H, where she was processed on the following charges:
CGS 14-227a; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs
CGS 14-240(b*; Failure to Drive at a Reasonable Distance Apart- MV Accident
CGS 21a-267(a); Use of Drug Paraphernalia
CGS 21a-279(a)(2); Possession of a Controlled Substance (2nd Offense, 2 counts)
CGS 53-21; Risk of Injury to a Minor
Burnham was later released from custody on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Manchester Superior Court on 03/17/25. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
