Man Charged After Crash, Police Chase In Farmington Sunday: Police

FARMINGTON, CT — A New Britain man was accused by state police of driving drunk after fleeing an accident on Interstate 84 in Farmington just after mid-day Sunday.

According to Connecticut State Police, Jaime Nieves. 30, of New Britain, was charged with evading responsibility (property damage); illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs; possession of a controlled substance; illegal carry of a firearm under the influence of alcohol/drugs; interfering with a police officer/resisting arrest; and first-degree reckless driving.

Nieves was released from custody on a $10,000 bond and will appear in Hartford Superior Court Nov. 22.

According to state police, at about 12:10 p.m. Sunday, officers from Troop H in Hartford were sent to I-84 West at the Exit 39A offramp in Farmington.

They were there to probe a report of an evading motor vehicle accident.

Upon arrival on the scene, troopers found approximately 100 feet of heavy guardrail damage on the left side of the ramp as well as vehicle debris in the roadway, police said in a release Monday.

Troop H dispatch was then receiving 911 calls at this time reporting the vehicle, a black Acura SUV, was traveling south on Route 9 dragging its front bumper, police said.

Shortly thereafter, a 911 caller reported the vehicle was exiting the highway via the Exit 37B off-ramp.

Police said troopers subsequently located the evading vehicle on the Route 9 southbound Exit 37B off-ramp in New Britain.

Troopers observed the vehicle stopped at the red light at the top of the ramp.

According to police, the vehicle was observed to have heavy front-end damage and was smoking.

The operator of the vehicle exited upon the arrival of troopers, and upon seeing the presence of a state police cruiser, began to flee on foot towards the city of New Britain, according to police

Police said the investigating trooper began to follow the operator in their cruiser, with lights and siren still activated.

The operator then fled from the roadway into a nearby apartment complex, at which point the trooper exited the cruiser and apprehended the operator on foot, police said.

The operator was immediately detained in handcuffs and placed in the trooper's cruiser while the investigation continued, according to state police

The operator was positively identified as Nieves.

Police said, that while speaking with Nieves, the trooper observed his speech was heavily slurred, his eyes were bloodshot, and the odor of alcohol was on his breath.

When asked why he fled, Nieves said the vehicle did not belong to him and that he was scared, police said.

Upon asking Nieves if he had consumed any drugs or alcohol before driving, Nieves explained that he last drank at 11 p.m. the night prior, police said.

Nieves was then taken into custody and transported to Troop H, police said.

Police said field sobriety testing was administered at Troop H, which Nieves didn't pass.

A search of Nieves revealed a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, police said.

Upon questioning Nieves about the substance, Nieves said the substance was cocaine, police said.

The investigating trooper was advised by other troopers on the scene that a loaded 9 mm handgun was located in the front lawn area of the apartment complex where Nieves was taken into custody, police said.

A check of the firearm's serial number revealed the weapon was registered to Nieves, who had a valid CT pistol permit, police said.

Nieves said he threw the gun while running from troopers because he knew he'd be in trouble for possessing it while intoxicated, according to police.

Nieves' firearm, along with its magazine and ammunition, was later secured in evidence at Troop H. Nieves' pistol permit was also seized.

Chemical testing administered at Troop H revealed Nieves' blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.