On Tuesday, 11/12/24 at approximately 9:15 AM, a Trooper assigned to Troop H- Hartford was conducting proactive speed enforcement on I-91 southbound prior to exit 22 in Rocky Hill. It was at this time that the Trooper observed a grey Nissan Maxima traveling south at a rate of speed which was higher than the flow of traffic. The Trooper clocked the vehicle's speed by laser and observed the vehicle to be traveling at 81 mph in a posted 65 mph zone.
As a result of this observation, the Trooper pulled out from their stationary location along the right shoulder and began to catch up to the observed vehicle to initiate a traffic stop. Upon positioning their cruiser behind the observed Nissan, the Trooper ran the vehicle's license plate and observed that the plate was registered to a different vehicle altogether. The Trooper activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop at the exit 22 South ramp, however the operator failed to comply with the Trooper's signal to stop and continued on, merging onto Route 9 southbound. While attempting to stop the vehicle, other operators became aware of the Trooper's emergency lights and moved to the right to yield. An operator of a black pickup, who had moved to the shoulder to yield to the Trooper, was nearly struck by the Nissan as its operator had also moved to the shoulder in attempts to pass other traffic and continue to elude the Trooper.
As the operator continued multiple unsafe lane changes, the Trooper observed the vehicle appeared to be exiting Route 9 via exit 27. Just as the Trooper was preparing to disengage their efforts, the vehicle was observed cutting across the exit ramp back onto Route 9 and rolled to a stop in the right shoulder just south of exit 27. The Trooper subsequently positioned their cruiser ahead of this vehicle to prevent the operator from fleeing. The Trooper then directed the operator to step out of the vehicle, to which she complied. The operator was immediately detained without further incident. The operator was later positively identified as Kasani Blake (DOB 10/04/97), of Hartford, by her CT ID card. The operator of the black pickup nearly struck by Blake had stopped on scene to assist the Trooper. It was learned that the operator of the black pickup was an off-duty police officer, who remained on scene to assist until additional Troopers arrived. Blake had a passenger in her vehicle, who was later released from the scene once it was determined they had no active arrest warrants.
When the Trooper questioned Blake as to why she failed to stop, Blake offered no further explanation beyond that she was running late for school. Further investigation revealed that Blake had an active, unrelated arrest warrant out of Manchester. Manchester PD was contacted and verified the active warrant. The Trooper seized the misused registration plate from the vehicle, which had also been determined to be unregistered and uninsured. The Nissan was later towed from the scene.
Blake was transported to Troop H where she was processed for the following charges:
CGS 14-12(a)*; Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
CGS 14-147(c); Improper Use- Registration Plate
CGS 14-215(a); Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension
CGS 14-219(c)(1); Speeding: Car, Over 70mph, Limited Access Highway
CGS 14-222; Reckless Driving
CGS 14-223(a); Disobeying Signal Of an Officer
CGS 14-223(b)**; Engaging Police In Pursuit
CGS 14-236; Failure to Drive in Proper Lane
CGS 14-36(a); Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a License
CGS 38a-371; Failure to Insure Private Motor Vehicle
CGS 53a-63; Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree (2 counts)
Blake was later released from State Police custody on a $10,000 bond and was turned over to the custody of the Manchester Police Department. Blake is scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 12/05/24. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
