Update: Details of Wild Police Pursuit Through Five Towns

A police chase Tuesday morning ended in a crash on the Merritt Parkway in Trumbull.

The incident started after concerned citizens called State Police to report an erratic driver on I-95 southbound near exit 18 in Westport, according to state police. The vehicle was a black Honda Civic with New York plates.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle, which they later learned was reported stolen out of Mamaroneck, NY.

State Police lost sight of the vehicle near exit 16, but Westport Police located it and became involved on a pursuit on Route 1. The vehicle caused several accidents in Westport before crossing over into Fairfield.

Fairfield Police also became involved as the vehicle crossed the town line and got back onto I-95 northbound at exit 19.

State Police then jumped back on the chase and the vehicle exited the highway at exit 26.

Next, Bridgeport Police became involved and pursued the vehicle through the city. It then got back onto I-95 northbound at exit 26 and exited at exit 28.

Stratford Police then became involved as the vehicle crossed over and then went onto Route 15 southbound at exit 53.

State Police and Trumbull Police joined the pursuit at that point.

The vehicle became involved in a two car accident on Route 15 and exited the highway at exit 50. It then jumped back on Route 15 northbound at exit 48. Stop sticks didn’t work, police said.

The vehicle then got into another accident near exit 50 with another vehicle, causing the Civic to spin out of control and strike a guard rail.

A Trumbull Police officer and K-9 boxed the vehicle in. The driver wasn’t done yet; he then tried to escape and rammed a Trumbull Police cruiser, according to police.

Rafael Vasquez, 25 of Hartford was arrested and charged with the following long list.

• Reckless driving
• Engaging police in a pursuit
• Evading while causing injury or property damage
• Operating a vehicle without a license
• Third-degree larceny
• Second-degree criminal trover
• Interfering with police
• Assaulting a public safety officer