BEACON FALLS — A State Police trooper was recovering from minor injuries after officials said a driver operating under the influence struck the cruiser while it was pulled over for a separate traffic stop Sunday evening.
The trooper had pulled over a vehicle for a traffic stop. Police said the driver had pulled over to the left side of the highway in a dangerous position and was in the process of moving over to the right side of the highway with the trooper stopping traffic in order for the operator to move safely.
State police said the trooper received minor injuries after his cruiser was hit by a vehicle operated by Jeffrey Stella, 52, of Southbury, who failed to react to the warning lights on the cruiser. The trooper was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital for evaluation. The operator and vehicle of traffic stop were not involved. Stella was not injured and was taken into custody according to State Police. He was charged with operating with a suspended license, traveling too fast for conditions, operating under the influence, failure to drive at a reasonable distance, and failure to slow or move over for an emergency vehicle.
The accident caused delays on a section of Route 8 between Beacon Falls and Seymour Sunday evening around 6:20 p.m.
Stella will appear in court on Dec. 2.
