EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — A Waterbury man is facing DUI and vehicle violation charges after driving the wrong way on an Interstate 84 off-ramp in East Hartford, causing a head-on crash Wednesday night.
State police were called to the Exit 56 off-ramp of I-84 East in East Hartford just after 9 p.m. Officials said that the wrong-way detection system at the off-ramp was activated just one minute before the crash.
Arriving troopers found three vehicles involved. The wrong-way vehicle had crashed head-on into another vehicle that was taking the exit, and a third vehicle was sideswiped while on the exit.
The driver of the vehicle that was hit head-on was taken to an area hospital for minor injuries, while the driver of the sideswiped vehicle did not report any injuries, state police said.
State police had to find the wrong-way driver, identified as Wilmer Vizcaino, 29, of Waterbury. He reportedly ran from the scene but a K-9 was able to track him down in the woods near the exit ramp, state police said.
Vizcaino was emitting a strong smell of alcohol and did not pass the field sobriety tests, according to state police. He appeared injured from the collision and from not wearing a seatbelt, state police said. EMTs evaluated Vizcaino at the scene but he declined further medical treatment, state police said.
State police also determined that Vizcaino did not have a valid driver's license and that the vehicle was not registered, was uninsured and had a different vehicle's license plate.
Vizcaino was arrested and faces a dozen vehicle violation and road violation charges, including operating a vehicle under the influence, evading responsibility, driving the wrong way on a divided highway, and operating without a license. He was held on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, or CTDOT, there have been five wrong-way crashes this year that have led to 12 deaths. That marks an increase compared to the same time from last year.
“The statistics are going in the wrong direction, they are increasing and we are seeing wrong-way drivers on a weekly basis, if not almost a nightly basis,” said Josh Morgan, director of communications for the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The CTDOT has installed 80 wrong-way detection systems in areas across the state considered “high risk” due to their close proximity to places where alcohol is commonly served.
“What we saw in East Hartford was the system activating, the system working, the lights flashing and unfortunately the driver not noticing and continuing on to the highway in the wrong direction,” Morgan said.
The technology immediately alerts state police upon activation.
“About a minute is what it took for troopers to get out onto that scene last night,” Morgan said.
Those who’ve lost friends or family in a wrong-way crash know it can only take a minute for a tragedy to occur. State Sen. Matt Lesser has been advocating for increased transportation funding to enhance road safety following the death of his friend and colleague State Rep. Quentin “Q” Williams last year.
“The human toll is really staggering and unfortunately our roadways are not yet safe. We have to do a better job at making sure that people just trying to go home or go to work are able to get there safe,” Lesser said.
The CTDOT hopes to have upwards of 120 wrong way detection systems up and running by next year.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
Apple App Store: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.