Teen, 15, Steals Car From Madison Rest Area On I-95, Crashes: PD

MADISON, CT — A 15-year-old driver was arrested after crashing in a vehicle that was stolen out of the rest area on I-95 North in Madison on Monday afternoon, according to Connecticut State Police.

The 15-year-old boy was hospitalized after the crash, which involved two other vehicles. Two people in another vehicle were taken to the hospital for evaluation, according to police.

A 911 call reported a gray Range Rover driving erratically before pulling into the I-95 North Madison Rest Area around 4:20 p.m., police said.

A few minutes later, a state trooper was on the Exit 63 on-ramp to I-95 North waiting for the reported Range Rover to pass by, according to the police report. The license plate reader indicated the plates on the Range Rover were stolen.

While the trooper tried to catch up to the Range Rover, police were notified that a gray Honda Civic was just stolen from the northbound rest area in Madison. The trooper then found both vehicles, the Range Rover and Honda Civic, traveling together on I-95 North just before Exit 67 in Old Saybrook, according to police.

The trooper followed both vehicles without initiating lights and sirens as both drivers exited at Exit 67 and then re-entered I-95 heading south, police said.

“The stolen Honda Civic began to travel at a high rate of speed while passing vehicles utilizing the shoulder,” police wrote in the report. “A traffic stop was attempted by troopers on I-95 South in the area of Exit 66. The Honda Civic accelerated in an attempt to elude troopers.

“Troopers disengaged and were slowing to stop to await the second vehicle (Range Rover). While slowing, troopers saw the aftermath of a traffic collision on the 65 exit ramp. The Honda Civic collided with two other vehicles, causing significant damage.”

The 15-year-old driver, who was the sole occupant of the Honda Civic, was charged with interfering with an officer, reckless driving, operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, third-degree larceny, failure to obey officer signal, reckless endangerment and conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny.

He will be taken to the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center after receiving medical treatment to await his court appearance, according to police.