Man, 70, Drove In Excess Of 100 MPH On I-95 in Guilford, Led Police In Pursuit: State Police

GUILFORD, CT — A Brooklyn, Conn. man is accused of driving more than 100 mph on Interstate 95 along the Shoreline just after midnight Sunday and struck a state trooper's vehicle before being taken into custody, State Police said.

Irwin Rutchik, 70, of August Drive, was spotted by State Police passing several cars quickly on I-95 northbound by Exit 55, State Police said. The vehicle's speed was clocked around 86 mph and then it began to accelerate too over 90 mph, State Police said.

State Police troopers activated their lights and sires but Rutchik failed to stop and his vehicle sped to over 100 mph, State Police said. The accused was seen passing traffic in the median shoulder and swerving across both lanes and shoulders while traveling at speeds of over 100 mph, State Police said.

"The accused increased his vehicle's speed as a State Trooper was in front of him and struck that Trooper's cruiser from behind," State Police said. "Stop sticks were deployed and the vehicle eventually came to a stop due to it becoming disabled. The accused ignored orders to get out of the vehicle and pulled his arm away from troopers as he was being taken into custody."

He was taken by EMS personnel to the Shoreline Medical Center where he is charged with engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving, interfering with an officer, and failure to maintain lanes. He was later released on a $5,000 bond.