On 09/13/2024 at approximately 2:37 a.m., a Trooper assigned to Troop H in Hartford was monitoring traffic on I-91 northbound in the area of Exit 21 in Cromwell and observed a gray Honda Civic displaying a Connecticut registration traveling at a speed greater than the flow of traffic. The Trooper then clocked the Honda and determined that it was traveling at a speed of approximately 111 MPH in a posted 65 MPH zone. As the Trooper drove to catch up to the Honda, its operator turned off the vehicle’s headlights and taillights, began to accelerate and change lanes in an erratic manner.
The Trooper initiated a traffic stop, activating their cruiser’s emergency lights and sirens. In response, the Honda came to a stop, pulled into the right shoulder of the roadway, and began backing down the I-91 north Exit 22 entrance ramp from Route 9 north, traveling in the in the wrong direction in an apparent effort to elude the Trooper. In the interest of safety, the Trooper terminated efforts to stop the Honda as it drove in reverse down the shoulder of the entrance ramp and out of sight. Troopers quickly responded to Route 9 but were unable to locate the accused vehicle.
Having observed the Connecticut registration plate displayed on the Honda, the investigating Trooper learned the vehicle was registered to an address in New Britain. Troopers then traveled to the registered owner’s address and observed that the Honda was not at that location. While at the residence, Troopers made contact with the registered owner who explained that the Honda was being used by Derell Aponte, DOB 08/07/2000, of New Britain. The Honda’s owner then contacted Aponte by phone and Aponte agreed to meet with Troopers.
Shortly thereafter, Aponte arrived at the address operating the Honda. Aponte acknowledged that he was operating the Honda when the Trooper attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop and admitted that he had begun to drive backwards down the entrance ramp from Route 9 north to I-91 north when he became aware that the Trooper intended to conduct a stop.
Based upon the information obtained and observations made during this investigation, Aponte was taken into custody and transported to Troop H, where he was processed and charged with the following violations:
C.G.S. 14-222*, Reckless Driving greater than 85mph,
C.G.S. 14-243(b), Unsafe Backing
C.G.S. 14-223(a), Disobeying the Signal of an Officer
C.G.S. 14-237, Driving the Wrong Way on a Divided Highway
C.G.S. 53a-63, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree
Aponte was later released on a $20,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at Middletown Superior Court on 10/04/2024.
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