Man Charged with Hitting State Police Cruiser on I-91 in Meriden – On the evening of February 14, 2025, a North Haven man, Sean Brozek, was charged following an incident on Interstate 91 in Meriden, Connecticut, where he allegedly struck a state police cruiser while it was attending to a disabled vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on the northbound side of I-91, near Exit 16, and has led to Brozek facing several charges, including distracted driving.
According to the Connecticut State Police, the police cruiser was parked on the right shoulder of the highway with its emergency lights activated, positioned just behind a disabled vehicle. The cruiser was performing its duties when Brozek, 30, driving a personal vehicle, failed to maintain his lane while approaching the scene. In what appeared to be a case of distracted driving, Brozek allegedly left his travel lane, striking the rear bumper of the parked police cruiser.
The collision resulted in injuries for both Brozek and the police officer involved. The state trooper who was inside the cruiser at the time of the impact sustained non-life threatening injuries and was promptly transported to a hospital for treatment. Brozek, too, suffered minor injuries and was also taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Both individuals are expected to recover from their respective injuries.
Following the accident, Brozek was charged with several offenses, including reckless driving, failure to maintain his lane, following too closely resulting in an accident, and failing to move over for an emergency vehicle. One of the more serious charges was operating a motor vehicle while using a handheld device, which is believed to have contributed to his distraction while driving. The state police are keen to emphasize the dangers of distracted driving, especially when it involves emergency vehicles on the side of the road.
In Connecticut, there are laws that require drivers to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles on the side of the road with their lights flashing. Brozek’s failure to comply with this law further compounded the seriousness of the incident. It is critical that drivers remain alert and cautious when approaching emergency scenes to ensure the safety of both law enforcement officers and fellow drivers.
After being processed, Brozek was released on a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on March 28, 2025, where he will face the charges and legal proceedings related to the incident. The outcome of the court proceedings will determine any further penalties or consequences for Brozek’s actions on that evening.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of driver responsibility, especially in situations involving emergency responders. It also highlights the potential dangers associated with distracted driving, which continues to be a significant safety concern on the nation’s roads.