Pursuit, Foot Chase and Swamp Search Lead to Arrest of Windsor Driver and a Passenger

WINDSOR, CT — An apparent attempted evasion of a holiday enforcement DUI checkpoint on Interstate 91 in Windsor Friday night led to a pursuit and the eventual apprehension of two men on several charges.

The incident began around 10:15 p.m. at the exit 38 onramp to I-91 southbound, where troopers from Troop H-Hartford and officers from the Windsor Police Department were conducting a holiday enforcement DUI checkpoint. A Nissan Altima entered the ramp, but upon seeing the checkpoint, the operator, later identified as Leroy Sterling, stopped and began backing down the ramp. The driver then made a U-turn and drove the wrong way on the entrance ramp to avoid troopers and officers, state police said.

Troopers attempted to stop the Nissan, but Sterling refused to pull over and led troopers on a pursuit traveling south on Route 75. The pursuit continued onto Hansom Hill Road, and after two minutes with speeds reaching approximately 65 mph, Sterling stopped the car and he and a passenger, Charles Miller, exited the vehicle and fled on foot, police said.

Following a brief foot pursuit with troopers, Miller was located a short time later. He refused to comply, resulting in a trooper deploying his Taser and striking Miller. He was then taken into custody without further incident, police said.

After an hour-long search in swampy terrain, state troopers, two state police K9 teams and Windsor police located Sterling in heavy brush alongside I-91. He was taken into custody without further incident, police said.

Sterling, 28, of Windsor, was charged with disobeying the signal of an officer, operating under suspension, improper entry/leaving of highway and engaging police in pursuit.

Miller, 28, of Saint Albans, N.Y., was charged with interfering with an officer.

Both were transported to Troop H, where they were fingerprinted, photographed and released after posting bond pending their court date.

Photos courtesy of Connecticut State Police