2 Charged After 110 MPH 'Race' On Route 9 In Newington: Police

NEWINGTON, CT — State police said Thursday that two motorists have been charged with racing each other on Route 9 in Newington earlier this week after approaching speeds of 110 mph.

According to Connecticut State Police, Ainsworth Salmon, 31, of Bloomfield was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment; reckless driving; improper passing; and disobeying the signal of an officer.

He was released on $1,500 bond and will appear for arraignment in New Britain Superior Court Oct. 4.

Police also said Aryana Pereira, 20, of East Hartford, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment; reckless driving; improper passing; disobeying the signal of an officer; and operating without a license.

She has been released on $1,500 bond and will also be arraigned in New Britain Superior Court on Oct. 4.

According to state police, a trooper out of Troop H in Hartford was traveling in the right lane of Route 9 South near the Exit 39 off-ramp at about 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4.

That's when the trooper noticed two vehicles traveling south on Route 9 toward his location, operating at a high rate of speed, "cutting in and out of traffic" and appearing to be racing, police said.

The vehicles then passed the trooper, who engaged in pursuit, according to CSP, and obtained license plate information for both vehicles.

One of the vehicles, according to police, was a black Acura RSX, and the second was a blue Audi S5.

Police said the Audi continued to accelerate away from police, exceeding 110 miles per hour in the 65 mph zone.

"The Audi continued to drive in an aggressive manner cutting in and out of traffic, posing a risk to other motorists during morning rush hour," wrote CSP in a report released Thursday afternoon.

The trooper, police said, estimated the Acura was also traveling nearly 110 mph.

Determining the operators of the Acura and the Audi were traveling dangerously fast amid morning, rush-hour traffic, the pursuit was called off "in the interest of safety," police said.

The trooper exited Route 9 at Exit 37 in New Britain.

Meanwhile, a second trooper also noticed the Acura's operator "continuing to operate in a reckless manner."

Police tracked down the vehicles, using registration information, to residents in East Hartford and New Britain, police said.

Upon further investigation, police determined the owner of the Audi had allowed Salmon to borrow the vehicle and the owner contacted Salmon, who turned himself in at Troop H.

According to police, Salmon said he did not know the driver of the Acura.

Meanwhile, troopers traveled to East Hartford to speak with the Acura's owner and it was learned that vehicle was being driven by Pereira, police said.

The Acura's owner then contacted Pereira, who spoke with troopers at the residence, police said.

State police said Pereira only had a learner's permit and was not accompanied by a licensed driver at the time of the incident.

Pereira, police said, claimed she was unaware she was an intended subject of the trooper's attempted motor vehicle stop.

Ultimately, both Pereira and Salmon were taken into custody and charged in connection with the incident.

For the Connecticut State Police news page, click on this link.