Officer Fired At Car After Man Drove At Him: Naugatuck Police

NAUGATUCK, CT — A 10-year veteran Naugatuck police officer has been placed on administrative assignment while Connecticut State Police investigate the firing of his weapon during an incident. The officer, identified as Sgt. Nicholas Kehoss, fired at a vehicle after the driver drove at him during a traffic stop Monday night in the borough, according to officials.

The incident happened around 8 p.m. on the Route 8 North on-ramp at Maple Street. The officer was conducting a traffic stop on an orange 2019 Dodge Charger with Ohio registration No. HQJ2680.

During the course of the traffic stop, the officer "discharged his weapon at the vehicle while it drove at him," according to a news release.

Police are still looking for the driver, who they identified as Roznovsky Machado, 24, of Waterbury. Police announced Tuesday night that Machado is wanted on an arrest warrant.

Kehoss was released from the hospital after treatment for minor injuries, officials said. It is unclear if Machado was injured, according to police.

The use of force investigation has been turned over to Joseph T. Corradino, State's Attorney for the district of Fairfield. The Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad will be working with the Fairfield State’s Attorney’s Office on the investigation, officials said in an update Tuesday night.

The officers involved in the incident were Officer Kevin Zainc, who has been with Naugatuck police for more than 15 years, and Kehoss, who has been with Naugatuck police for 10 years.

Investigators determined that only Kehoss fired his weapon. In accordance with Naugatuck Police Department’s policy, Kehoss has been placed on administrative assignment.

Both officers were wearing body cameras. Connecticut State Police and the Fairfield State’s Attorney’s Office will work to release the video footage and dispatch audio in the coming days, according to officials.

Officials said the investigation is in its early stages and is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crimes Squad at 860-626-7900.

Anyone with information on Machado's whereabouts are asked to call the Naugatuck Police Department at 203-729-5221 or the NPD Confidential Tip Line at 203-720-1010.