DUI Driver Struck Police Cruiser On I-84 In West Hartford: State Police

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A New Britain man faces several charges after police say he was operating under the influence when he struck another vehicle and fled the scene before crashing into a police cruiser on I-84 in West Hartford on Monday night. At about 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 23, Ryan E. Ragalis, 24, was operating his 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 near Exit 41 on I-84 East when he sideswiped another vehicle and fled the scene, according to state police.

A state trooper later located the pickup truck as it was entering I-84 West. The vehicle was stopped, but then attempted to go around the police cruiser, according to the police report. The truck was stopped after it struck the police cruiser.

Ragalis was taken into custody and failed field sobriety tests, police said.

No injuries were reported in the accidents.

Ragalis, of Ten Acre Road in New Britain, was arrested on charges of operating under the influence, unsafe backing, operating under suspension, failure to drive in proper lane and evading responsibility. He was held on bonds totaling $5,000 and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 16.

Pictured: Ryan E. Ragalis, 24, of New Britain/ Connecticut State Police