Vernon Dog Nabs Fleeing Driver After Handler Sees Crash From Overpass

VERNON, CT — A Vernon police dog helped state police nab a driver running from the scene of a rollover crash he caused on Interstate 84 Sunday after his handler witnessed the collision from an overpass.

The crash took place at 2:49 a.m, on the eastbound side of I-84 near Exit 66, according to a crash report.

A rented 2023 Chevrolet Malibu being driven by a 25-year-old Lowell, MA, resident with a 25-year-old Durham, NC, woman in the car as a passenger was in the center lane when it was suddenly struck from the left by a 2023 Hyundai Elantra with a 35-year-old man from East Hartford behind the wheel, according to a crash report. The Malibu rolled over as a result of the collision and came to a spinning halt on the right-hand shoulder.

Vernon police said a local canine officer, Brandon Zawadski saw the collision from the Bolton Road overpass.

State police said the driver of the Hyundai fled the scene on foot. Vernon police said canine Franco located and helped apprehend the man near a local roller skating rink.

The driver of the Malibu escaped injury and the passenger suffered what state police termed a minor injury according to a crash report.

The driver of the Hyundai was charged with driving under the influence, a lane violation and interfering with police.