A man from Connecticut is charged on DUI and other charges after allegedly fleeing a multi-vehicle crash in Cromwell on Wednesday, Connecticut State Police said in a statement Thursday.
State police said Cesar Estrada, 36, of Plainville, told troopers he did not remember being in a crash after he allegedly struck two vehicles on I-91 north and drove away.
When officers located Estrada after the crash, Estrada reportedly showed “visible signs of impairment,” according to state police. Officers administered a standardized field sobriety test and Estrada did not perform up to standard, state police said.
According to state police, the incident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. when Estrada was driving a Nissan Maxima and struck a Freightliner as he attempted to enter the right lane of I-91 north from the ramp at Exit 21.
According to state police, Estrada then lost control of the Nissan and crashed into a Toyota Tundra that was in the center lane.
State police said Estrada allegedly avoided the scene of the crash and continued north on I-91.
Shortly after arriving on the scene, officers found the Nissan unoccupied on the right shoulder of I-91, near Exit 23, state police said.
Officers were able to track the vehicle to its registered owner, who said the Nissan was last driven by Estrada, according to state police.
According to state police, the owner told officers she was with Estrada at a clinic in Middletown.
After Estrada was found at the clinic, state police confirmed that Estrada “was the sole occupant of the Nissan earlier that morning.” However, Estrada said he could not recall being involved in a crash, state police said.
During questioning, state police said Estrada “appeared intoxicated.” After failing to perform a standardized field sobriety test, Estrada was arrested, state police said.
Estrada was processed at CSP Troop H in Hartford, state police said. He is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court at 9 a.m. on July 22.
Estrada is charged with illegally operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs (second offense), failure to maintain proper lane on a limited access highway and two counts of evading responsibility.
