15-Year-Old Engages Officer in Pursuit, Hits Utility Pole

The Haddam Resident Troopers' Office and the Connecticut State Police, Troop F report the following incidents:

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS, FAILURE TO DRIVE IN THE ESTABLISHED LANE, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA AND POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - On Feb. 26th at 7:19 p.m., Anthony Duvall, 61, of 172 Pokorny Road, Higganum was arrested by Clinton Police and charged with the above violations. Duvall was released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Middlesex Superior Court in Middletown on 2/27/12.

OPERATING WITHOUT A LICENSE AND UNSAFE MOVEMENT OF A STOPPED MOTOR-VEHICLE - On Feb. 27th at approximately 12:05 p.m., Jena Stakey, 19, of West Shore Drive, Higganum was traveling northbound on Little City Road approaching the intersection of Route 81 in Higganum, in a 2001 Kia Sephia. Kelly Bragdon, 40, of Meetinghouse Road, Haddam was traveling eastbound on Route 81 in a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser.

As Bragdon brought her vehicle to a stop at the intersection to let the vehicle in front of her turn left, she was struck by Stakey, who told police that she thought she had previously put her vehicle in 'park'. Police charged Stakey with operating without a license and unsafe movement of a stopped motor-vehicle.

Both drivers were transported to Middlesex Memorial Hospital  for evaluation of their injuries. The vehicles had to be towed from the scene. 

EVADING RESPONSIBILITY, FAILURE TO DRIVE A REASONABLE DISTANCE APART, OPERATING A MOTOR-VEHICLE WHEN LICENSE OR REGISTRATION IS REVOKED OR SUSPENDED AND FAILURE TO CARRY INSURANCE - On March 5th at approximately 10:20 a.m., Benjamin Keegan, 24, of Chamberlain Hill Road, Higganum was charged with the above violations. Middletown Police reported that Keegan had been involved in a motor-vehicle accident on Main Street Extension in Middletown and then fled the scene. A witness had confirmed the incident to police and provided Keegan's license plate number.

Keegan's vehicle was later discovered parked at his home address with noticeable front-end damage. Keegan was given a court date of 3/13/12 at Middlesex Superior Court.

OPERATING A MOTOR-VEHICLE WITHOUT THE OWNER'S PERMISSION, RECKLESS DRIVING, OPERATING WITHOUT A VALID DRIVER'S LICENCE, OPERATING WITHOUT INSURANCE OR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND FAILURE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT - On March 8th at approximately 5:00 p.m., police were out on routine patrol in the area of Turkey Hill and Park Roads in Haddam.

Haddam Resident Trooper Enrico Milardo noticed a Ford Ranger Pick-up truck parked on the roadside, with no registration plate on the vehicle. As Milardo attempted to approach, the driver put the truck in reverse, and then drove off at a high rate of speed.

The truck then turned onto Park Road, an unpaved (dirt) road, and continued to engage Milardo in pursuit.

Before Milardo was able to catch up to the vehicle, the operator lost control of the truck and struck a utility pole head-on, snapping the pole upon impact.

The 15-year-old male driver was uninjured. His brother, Cameron Bailey, 19, of Gulf Quarry Road, Haddam was transported to Hartford Hospital via Haddam Volunteer Ambulance for treatment of a minor laceration to the head, caused when he struck the windshield.

The 1995 Ford Ranger sustained severe front-end damage and was towed from the scene by New Image Automotive in Higganum.

The 15-year-old juvenile operator was issued a juvenile summons and charged with the above violations, then later released to his mother's custody. He is scheduled to appear at Middletown Juvenile Court in Middletown on 3/21/12.