Wrong-Way Vehicle Bursts Into Flames On Highway In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — A wrong-way vehicle with a suspected drunken driver behind the wheel burst into flames on Interstate 384 over the weekend, state police said.

At 2:54 a.m. Saturday, the state police Troop H barracks in Hartford received multiple calls about a wrong way driver traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-384 eastbound in Manchester, according to an incident report.

Troopers then received reports that the same vehicle was on fire in the left lane, prior to the Exit 1 entrance ramp to I-384 Eastbound, state police said. Troopers said the vehicle was "fully engulfed in flames and the driver was nearby, out of the vehicle. No other vehicles were involved, state police said.

The driver, a 28-year-old woman from Pala, CA, was unhurt, but was exhibiting signs of impairment, according to an incident report. She became uncooperative, was transported to Troop H and then failed sobriety tests, according to an incident report.

The woman was charged with disorderly Conduct, driving under the influence, driving the wrong way on a limited access highway and reckless driving. She was was unable to post a $5,000 bond, was held over the weekend and was to appear in Manchester Superior Court Monday.