A driver accused of traveling the wrong way through several towns on Interstate 395 Friday morning swerved to avoid an approaching state police cruiser before he was finally stopped and charged with impaired driving in Waterford, police said.

At 1:13 a.m., state police received several 911 calls reporting a wrong-way driver traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-395 in the area of Exit 11 in Norwich.

A trooper spotted the vehicle, driven by David Valcin, 36, of Mattapan, Mass., near Exit 6 in Montville heading directly toward him, state police said.

The trooper attempted to stop the oncoming silver Ford Focus, but Valcin swerved around the cruiser and continued the wrong way on the highway.

Another trooper stationed near Exit 2 in Waterford used a cruiser spotlight to gain Valcin’s attention as he allegedly tried to evade the trooper. The trooper was able to block and stop the car, though Valcin unsuccessfully tried to reverse his vehicle when the trooper approached him.

Valcin told police he was unfamiliar with the area and was relying on GPS for directions. A female passenger told police she repeatedly warned Valcin he was driving the wrong way.

Police said Valcin failed a field sobriety test and was charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving the wrong way on a divided highway.

Valcin, who was unable to post a $2,500 bond, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in New London Superior Court.