Wrong-way driver and two passengers arrested after chaotic traffic stop on I-84
Three women were arrested during a traffic stop after a trooper observed a wrong-way driver on Interstate 84 in Hartford while responding to a crash on Monday night.
Troopers assigned to Troop H in Hartford were responding to I-84 East in the area of Exit 46 around 10:35 p.m. for a report of a collision, according to the Connecticut State Police. A responding trooper entering I-84 East via the Exit 44 entrance ramp reportedly observed a silver Jeep Compass driving west in the eastbound lanes, state police said.
The trooper reportedly witnessed the Jeep travel off the roadway into a grassy area and turn around, according to state police. At that time, the trooper initiated a motor vehicle stop.
During the stop, trooper reportedly learned that the vehicle’s registration had expired, state police said. The Jeep driver, identified as 34-year-old Brenda Crespo of East Hartford, was also unable to provide proof that the vehicle was properly insured, according to state police.
Troopers allege that an empty bottle that appeared to be an alcoholic beverage container was visible in the Jeep, state police said. As additional troopers arrived at the scene to assist with the investigation, Crespo was asked to exit the vehicle to perform standardized field sobriety tests, according to state police.
Once Crespo exited the vehicle, the front passenger of the Jeep, identified as Esmeralda Crespo, 32, of Bristol, also exited the car and refused to return to the Jeep when directed to do so, state police said.
Brenda Crespo and Esmeralda Crespo allegedly ignored troopers’ instructions and began “actively interfering with the investigation,” according to state police.
State police allege that Brenda Crespo and Esmeralda Crespo became combative and resisted arrest as troopers attempted to handcuff them. Once in custody, Brenda Crespo and Esmerelda Crespo were escorted to separate state police cruisers to transport them to Troop H for processing, according to state police.
As troopers attempted to place Esmerelda Crespo inside the cruiser, she allegedly grabbed onto the vehicle and refused to put her legs into the cruiser, state police said. Pepper spray was deployed, and she was secured in the cruiser for transport, according to state police.
During all the commotion, a rear passenger in the Jeep, later identified as 25-year-old Jennifer Crespo of Hartford, approached troopers, began interfering with the investigation and was also taken into custody. At that time, Brenda Crespo, who had been secured inside a state police cruiser, managed to get out of the vehicle and interfered with troopers.
Once secured in separate cruisers, Brenda Crespo, Esmeralda Crespo and Jennifer Crespo were transported to Troop H for arrest processing.
EMS were called to Troop H for reports of minor injuries. All three women were transported to area medical facilities where they were evaluated and later released.
Brenda Crespo was taken into custody and charged with driving the wrong way on a divided highway, failure to renew registration, failure to carry registration/insurance card, interfering/ resisting and escape from custody. She was held on a $50,000 cash/surety bond.
Esmeralda Crespo is charged with interfering/resisting. She was held on a $20,000 cash/surety bond.
Jennifer Crespo is charged with interfering/resisting and refusal to identify. She was held on a $20,000 cash/surety bond.
All three women were transferred to Hartford Superior Court for arraignment on Tuesday.