On Saturday, March 8, 2025, at approximately 11:25 PM, Troopers from Troop H - Hartford were on general patrol on RT 2 eastbound, in the vicinity of exit 2 in East Hartford. While driving on RT 2 eastbound, Troopers observed a vehicle in the gore area, perpendicular to the lanes of travel. The Trooper activated their emergency lights to warn other drivers and stopped behind the vehicle to assist the operator.
Once stopped, the Trooper observed a female in the driver's seat who appeared to be confused. As the Trooper was exiting his vehicle, the vehicle began driving the wrong direction - west in the east - on RT 2 going towards I-84. The vehicle then completed a full circle around the cruiser and continued traveling the proper orientation - east in the east.
The Trooper followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop once in a safe location. A query of the vehicle's registration revealed that the registration was suspended out of Rhode Island. The operator was identified as Cindy Yohanny Ramirez Franco (DOB 10/17/1993) of Hartford, who did not have a valid driver's license. Based upon these factors, a tow truck was summoned to the scene.
The Trooper advised Ramirez Franco that her vehicle was going to be towed and advised her to wait in her vehicle. As the Trooper was re-entering their cruiser, the Trooper noticed that Ramirez Franco had disregarded the given instructions, left her vehicle, approached the passenger side of the Trooper's cruiser, opened the door and sat down in the front passenger seat. Ramirez Franco was instructed several times to exit the cruiser and return to her vehicle, to which she did not comply. The Trooper was then able to escort Ramirez Franco out of the vehicle, and she was arrested without further incident. Ramirez Franco was transported to Troop H for processing where she was charged with the following:
C.G.S. 14-222 - Reckless Driving
C.G.S. 14-237 - Driving the Wrong Way on a Limited Access Highway
C.G.S. 14-36(a) - Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a License
C.G.S. 14-12(a)* - Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
C.G.S. 53a-167a - Interfering with an Officer
Ramirez Franco was later released on a $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court on 03/28/2025.
Please see attached criminal information summary.
