DUI Driver Reached 120 MPH During Highway Pursuit, Arrested In New Haven: State Police

STRATFORD, CT — A New Haven man is accused of driving at speeds of up to 120 mph while operating under the influence on I-95 and engaging police in a pursuit, according to Connecticut State Police. The pursuit began in Stratford at about 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, when a state trooper observed a vehicle traveling on I-95 North in the area of Exit 32 that was failing to maintain its lane.

The trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the driver engaged in a pursuit and continued on I-95 North, according to police. The vehicle reached “reckless speeds of up to 120 mph in a posted 55 mph zone” in the area of Exit 41 in Orange, police said in a press release. The vehicle also made multiple lane changes at high rates of speeds and the pursuit was terminated on I-95 North just before Exit 42 in West Haven, according to police.

Troopers were able to re-engage and followed the vehicle off of I-91 Exit 5, according to police. The operator of the vehicle, later identified as Orlando Rolon-Hernandez, parked his vehicle at his residence, where he was apprehended and placed under arrest, police said.

Rolon-Hernandez was found to have a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his breath and subsequently failed the field sobriety tests, according to police.

Rolon-Hernandez, 30, of Chapel Street in New Haven, was arrested on charges of operating under the influence of drugs/alcohol, first-degree reckless endangerment, failure to drive in proper lane, engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving, operation of motor vehicle with registration or license suspended/revoked and insurance coverage fails minimum requirements. He was scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Sept. 5.

Pictured: Orlando Rolon-Hernandez, 30, of New Haven/ via Connecticut State Police