Traffic Cams Help Cops Nab Accused Crash Evader In West Hartford: CSP

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man was charged by state police with evading the scene after an accident on Interstate 84 in West Hartford Tuesday morning left a car in a dangerous position.

Thanks to overhead traffic cameras and alert dispatchers, the eyes in the sky were able to assist police in getting to the bottom of why a vehicle was abandoned on the busy highway at rush hour.

According to Connecticut State Police, the suspect is identified as Chaviel Gonzalez, 21, of Hartford, and he was charged with two counts of operating/parking an unregistered motor vehicle; illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance; evading responsibility; and interfering with an officer/resisting arrest.

Gonzalez was eventually released from custody on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear at Hartford Superior Court on April 4.

The incident caused traffic issues in West Hartford during the morning commute.

According to state police, at about 6:42 a.m. Tuesday, Troop H-Hartford received numerous 911 calls regarding a single vehicle accident on I-84 west near exit 40 in West Hartford.

As troopers were responding, Troop H dispatchers observed the accident scene from an area DOT camera.

Police said they relayed to responding troopers the vehicle was facing sideways in the right lane, creating an immediate traffic hazard.

The vehicle was identified to be a Honda Accord, police said.

Prior to the arrival of troopers, dispatchers observed a second vehicle stop at the accident scene.

This vehicle was determined to be an Acura TSX, and the operator of the Honda was seen on camera getting into the Acura from the driver side door before leaving the scene, police said.

Dispatchers provided this information to responding troopers, and the Acura was subsequently located and stopped a short distance from the accident scene of the abandoned Honda.

Upon safely stopping the Acura, the operator was positively identified as Gonzalez.

Based on the real-time information received from Troop H Dispatch, troopers questioned Gonzalez as to why he left the scene of the accident.

Police said Gonzalez initially explained to troopers he was not involved in an accident.

However, Gonzalez later admitted that he was driving the Honda at the time of the accident and later left the scene in the Acura, police said.

Further investigation determined both the Honda and Acura were unregistered, uninsured and displayed misused registration plates.

Both vehicles were later towed.

Gonzalez was subsequently arrested without incident and transported to Troop H.

For the full state police report, click on this link.