I-84 Crash in Newtown Gives Way to State Police Chase

A Waterbury man who fled from a crash scene early Monday morning along Interstate 84 in Newtown and later led state police on a chase that eventually had to be called off was tracked down in Ansonia, officials said.

It all started when Edgardo Rodriguez, 25, of 100 Fulkerson Drive, fled from the scene of a crash on the interstate westbound lanes near Exit 10, Church Hill Road, at about 7 a.m. A description of the vehicle was broadcast to state police troopers, one of whom saw the vehicle and tried to stop it, officials said.

The vehicle sped off, reaching speeds of 60 to 80 mph, officials said. The chase was eventually called off after several miles, though the vehicle description was sent to other police agencies, officials said.

A short time later, Ansonia police spotted the vehicle and eventually apprehended the driver following a foot chase, officials said.

Rodriguez was charged with engaging police in pursuit, attempted assault on a police officer, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and disregarding stop signs. He was held on $100,000 and is to appear Tuesday in state Superior Court in Danbury.