Driver Charged For July State Police Chase That Began With Flock Camera Alert In Vernon

VERNON, CT — A driver involved in a chase that began with a flock camera alert and ended with a crash on the Fourth of July weekend in Vernon has been charged, state police said.

According to a warrant served on Aug. 11, at 5:15 p.m. on July 5, a trooper was on patrol along Interstate 84 was alerted to a flock camera "hit" on vehicle that was involved in a pursuit in Manchester a day earlier.

The camera is located near Exit 66 in Vernon.

The Trooper then positioned his cruiser to intercept the vehicle near the Vernon Circle area and soon saw the vehicle — A Ford 250 pickup — cross over Kelly Road to Hartford Turnpike to head east.

After alerting Vernon police, the trooper caught up to the truck on the eastbound side of Hartford Turnpike, but the driver then accelerated into the Dobson Road intersection at a high rate of speed, in the face of oncoming westbound traffic, according to a warrant.

The pickup then collided with a Toyota Corolla on Dobson Road, according to a warrant. The driver of the Toyota declined medical treatment, but the passenger was taken to Manchester Memorial Hospital with a possible concussion, according to a warrant.

The pickup driver, identified as 19-year-old Julian Vargas, of East Hartford, sustained a leg injury from not wearing a seat belt, according to a warrant.

The plate did not belong to the truck, according to a warrant.

Vargas was charged with:

• Improper use of a plate
• Driving without the minimum insurance
• Reckless driving
• Engaging police in a pursuit
• Interfering with police
• A traffic signal violation
• First-degree reckless endangerment

Vargas is due in Rockville Superior Court on Aug. 25, according to police records.