Woman Charged for Multi-Car Crash in Fairfield

A Hartford woman accused of shoplifting and striking a Trumbull police officer while fleeing the mall and then led police on a chase into Fairfield in August was arrested by Fairfield Police on a warrant on Sunday, according to the Fairfield Citizen.

Blessing Smith, 24, was arrested by Trumbull Police after the August incident while Fairfield Police conducted an accident investigation for what occurred in Fairfield.

The Citizen reports Smith turned herself in at police headquarters and was charged with operating under the influence, reckless driving and driving without a license.

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Trumbull Police responded to the Trumbull Shopping Park around 1 p.m. on Aug. 25 in response to two female shoplifting suspects.

Smith was located in the mall and was uncooperative with police, according to Trumbull Police Spokesman Lt. Leonard Scinto.

Smith reached into a purse and was ordered to take her hand out of her purse, Scinto said. She then ran away.

Police unsuccessfully used a Taser and she exited the mall into the parking lot by JC Penney. She allegedly threw her shopping bag at the officer as she got into her vehicle. The officer attempted to open the driver’s side door and Smith appeared to be reaching for something, Scinto said.

The officer drew her weapon and ordered Smith to show her hands. She refused and put the vehicle into reverse while opening the driver’s side door. The door hit the officer and knocked her off balance.

Smith then fled at a high rate of speed, Scinto said.

Smith exited the mall onto Madison Avenue at a high rate of speed and ignored police vehicles behind her.

The pursuit continued onto Congress Street in Fairfield where her Honda Accord struck a Volkswagen Passat, which then collided with a Ford Escape. The Passat flipped over on its roof, according to Fairfield Police.

Smith continued fleeing and struck the garage door of a residence on Congress Street.

She attempted to flee on foot, but was taken into custody in nearby woods.

Her vehicle contained a large amount of suspected stolen merchandise, police said.

The original responding officer sustained a hand injury, the operator of the Passat sustained a head injury and Smith was treated for back pain.

Smith was arrested by Trumbull Police on charges of assaulting a police officer, first-degree reckless endangerment, fourth degree larceny, possession of narcotics, interfering with police, reckless operating, operating without a license and possession of marijuana.