Teen Clocked Going 105 MPH In Southington: Police

SOUTHINGTON/WATERBURY, CT — A Waterbury treen was clocked going 105 mph in his Mercedes in Southington and later charged as part of a state police traffic enforcement effort.

Connecticut State Police Tuesday said Tajuan Londell Washington, 19, of Waterbury, was charged with failure to display lights; reckless driving; disobeying the signal of an officer; engaging police in pursuit; and failure to drive in the proper lane.

Washington was released on a $5,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at New Britain Superior Court on Nov. 14.

According to state police, which issued a release Tuesday morning, on Sunday at 8 p.m., a trooper assigned to Troop H in Hartford was conducting speed enforcement on Interstate 84 East near Exit 32 in Southington.

That's when, police said, the trooper observed a black Mercedes traveling at a high rate of speed.

Utilizing a department-issued laser, the trooper clocked the Mercedes speed at 97 mph in a posted 65 MPH zone.

Police said, that after noting this violation, the trooper caught up to the Mercedes, identified the vehicle by its Connecticut registration, and activated the emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop.

"In response, the operator failed to stop and began to accelerate, exceeding speeds of 105 MPH, while simultaneously sweeping across all travel lanes in an unsafe manner," wrote police.

Police said the driver turned off all illuminating lights to the Mercedes and continued eastbound, weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed.

Citing safety concerns, the trooper terminated efforts to pursue the vehicle, police said.

Shortly thereafter, troopers and Waterbury Police Officers traveled to the registered owner's address, where they located the Mercedes parked in the driveway.

At the residence, troopers met with Washington, who admitted to being the operator of the Mercedes.

As a result, Washington was taken into custody and transported to Troop H in Hartford.

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