NEWS RELEASE
Date: August 5, 2020
Contact: Captain Ronald Smith
Phone: (203) 230-4029
PIO#: 20-103
On August 4, 2020 at approximately 10:30p.m. a Hamden Police Officer was preventing traffic from proceeding southbound on Whitney Avenue and Augur Street, due to tree branches and wires in the roadway. The officer was seated inside of his police cruiser, with the emergency lights activated.
A motor vehicle, that was operated by a 34-year-old East Haven resident was traveling southbound on Whitney Avenue. The operator of the vehicle “drove directly into the driver’s side door” of the officer’s police cruiser. A preliminary investigation has revealed that the operator did not attempt to reduce speed prior to the crash.
Both the officer and the operator of the vehicle that struck him were transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Both vehicles suffered extensive damage and were deemed “totaled.”.
Officer Nicholas Lovett of the Hamden Police Department Traffic Division is conducting the investigation.
While investigating the aforementioned crash, a vehicle that was operated by Luis Rios, 32, of Hamden was traveling northbound on Whitney Avenue. Rios drove around a Hamden Police cruiser and through yellow caution tape. Three officers were nearly struck by Rios.
Rios was eventually stopped on Whitney Avenue, near Augur Street. Investigation revealed that Rios was intoxicated. He was subsequently arrested and transported to Hamden Police Headquarters. Rios was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving and Failure to Obey an Officer’s Signal. He was released after posting a $500.00 bond.