Griswold — A New London man was cited for reckless driving after the car he was driving hit a mailbox, flipped and rolled over multiple times early Friday, state police said.

Michael Cote, 34, of 135 Blydenburg St., was also charged with driving with a suspended license, driving an unregistered vehicle and failure to maintain the proper lane after the 12:40 a.m. crash on Route 201. 

State police said Cote was driving a Subaru Forester north at about 80 mph when the car left the road, struck a mailbox, drove up an embankment and flipped before rolling over multiple times. A witness told police that another car had seemingly been racing Cote.

Cote was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The vehicle belonged to a woman from Jewett City but it it was not clear how Cote knew her.

State Police Troop E Montville posted about the crash on their Facebook page, noting that incidents like this put first responders further at risk of encountering individuals who may have COVID-19. Troop E also said such incidents require hospital staff to sacrifice their time that could be used to treat patients who are sick with the virus.

"Accidents like this are easily avoidable, and take up time for first responders to respond and tend to other people, people that may be sick with COVID-19," wrote Troop E in their post. "Nurses, EMT's, police and fire, and other EMS staff, now need to dedicate resources and time to this individual who was recklessly driving with a suspended license. Do your part to help limit the spread of COVID-19, and stay home."

t.hartz@theday.com