East Hartford Woman Drove Wrong Way, Entered Cruiser: Police

EAST HARTFORD/HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford woman has been charged by state police after a bizarre traffic stop over the weekend featured her driving the wrong way on Route 2.

That traffic stop also featured the suspect defying orders and entering a state police cruiser, sitting next to the state police officer on the front passenger side of the vehicle.

State police said Cindy Yohanny Ramirez Franco, 31, of Hartford, was charged with reckless driving; driving the wrong way on a limited access highway; operating a motor vehicle without a license; operating an unregistered motor vehicle; and interfering with a police officer.

She was released on $1,500 bond and will appear in Manchester Superior Court March 28.

Wednesday, state police released details of the late-night incident, which happened at about 11:25 p.m. Saturday.

According to police, a trooper from Troop H in Hartford was on general patrol on Route 2 eastbound, in the vicinity of Exit 2 in East Hartford.

While driving on Route 2 eastbound, police observed a vehicle in the gore area, perpendicular to the lanes of travel, police said.

As a result, the trooper activated emergency lights to warn other drivers and stopped behind the vehicle to assist the operator, according to a report.

Once stopped, the trooper observed a female in the driver's seat who appeared to be confused, police said.

As the trooper was exiting his vehicle, the suspect's vehicle began driving the wrong direction — west in the eastbound lane on Route 2 going towards Interstate 84, police said.

According to police, the vehicle then completed a full circle around the cruiser and then continued traveling the proper orientation — eastbound on Route 2 east.

Police said the trooper followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop once in a safe location.

The operator was identified as Franco, who did not have a valid driver's license.

Based on these factors, a tow truck was summoned to the scene, police said.

The trooper advised Franco her vehicle was going to be towed and told her to wait inside her vehicle, police said.

As the trooper was re-entering his cruiser, the officer noticed Franco had disregarded the instructions, left her vehicle, approached the passenger side of the cruiser, opened the door, and sat down in the front passenger seat, police said.

Police said Franco was instructed several times to exit the cruiser and return to her vehicle, to which she did not comply.

The trooper was then able to escort Franco out of the vehicle and she was taken into custody without further incident and transported to Troop H for processing.

For the full Connecticut State Police report, click on this link.