Police said that just after midnight Tuesday morning, a trooper was stopped with his emergency lights on, while on the side of the roadway on Route 69 near the intersection of Gaylord Mountain Road, conducting a traffic stop. A 1999 tan Buick Lesabre failed to move over for the cruiser, side-swiping the trooper's cruiser while heading north.
The accident caused disabling damage to the cruiser and injured the trooper inside, according to police. The Buick sustained passenger-side damage and continued driving north after the accident, attempting to flee the scene.
Police said troopers that were responding to the scene found the Buick heading north of the scene and stopped the car.
The driver was identified as Anthony Waiters, 32, of Waterbury, according to police.
Through the investigation, police determined probable cause that Waiters was under the influence of alcohol. Waiters had a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his mouth while he spoke and his speech was slurred. Police said they asked Waiters to perform field sobriety tests, which he failed.
Waiters was arrested and charged with operating under the influence, evading responsibility causing physical injury, and improper passing.
A breath analysis determined Waiters' blood alcohol content was 0.2265, nearly three times the legal limit.
Waiters was released on a $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on September 5.