Man Charged In I-84 Wrong-Way Crash With State Trooper: Police

EAST HARTFORD, CT — A man is facing charges that he drove the wrong way on I-84 and struck a police cruiser, according to state police.

Dennis Bessy, 36, of East Hartford, was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving the wrong way on a divided highway, and second-degree reckless endangerment.

A state police cruiser was driving westbound on I-84 near Exit 56 in East Hartford at 4:49 a.m. Sunday. Bessey was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu eastbound in the westbound lanes of the highway, according to state police.

The trooper attempted to stop by Bessey by flashing the emergency lights on his vehicle. Bessey continued driving the wrong way and struck the front corner of the police cruiser.

The trooper was transported to Hartford Hospital for suspected injuries. He has since been released from the hospital, according to NBC CT.

Both vehicles were towed due to disabling damage.

Bessey was released on $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court on April 18.