State police: Cruiser rear-ended vehicle Thursday on Gold Star Bridge
State police said one of their own rear-ended an SUV in a crash Thursday that snarled traffic on the Gold Star Bridge and sent three people, including the trooper, to the hospital for evaluation.
The crash happened Thursday about 3:57 p.m. on Interstate 95 North, according to a state police crash summary. Congestion from a construction-related lane closure caused Alexander Datzuk of Burlington to slow "heavily" in his 2006 Chevrolet HHR when he was hit from behind by Detective Joseph Lewis's 2019 Dodge Charger.
The Chevrolet came to a rest in the first of four open lanes and the cruiser came to a rest in the second lane, the summary said. Datzuk told first responders he was not injured, while his two passengers complained of pain and were taken by a New London Fire Department ambulance to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London for evaluation.
The summary said Lewis's airbag deployed in the crash. The trooper was taken by state police to L+M to be checked out for an abrasion to his wrist and soreness.
A state police spokesman said Lewis, who was on duty at the time of the crash, has been a trooper for eight years and is assigned to the Eastern District Major Crime Squad.
The cruiser was towed to the Troop E state police barracks in Montville, according to the summary.
State police Sgt. Joseph D'Angelo of Troop E on Friday said state police are investigating the crash. He said he was not aware of any warnings or citations having been issued yet but Lewis likely would be found at fault.
A state police spokesman said the investigation is ongoing.
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