News

9/12/2015 - Press Release - Officer struck, Police Car hit

PRESS RELEASE

September 12, 2015

On September 11, 2015 at about 7:00 PM a Naugatuck Police Officer was flagged down by a motorist at the intersection of Maple Street and South Main Street who advised of an erratic driver he was following. The motorist advised that he knew the operator of the vehicle and that she was possibly impaired by drugs and or alcohol and was concerned that she was going to injure someone.

The officer immediately followed the vehicle, a red Lexus which traveled onto Salem Bridge and crossed over the center median nearly colliding with an oncoming vehicle and was observed to be driving erratically. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren to attempt to pull the vehicle over however the officer advised that the vehicle continued traveling erratically by swerving in and out of its travel lane at speeds between 15-30 MPH. The vehicle continued towards Cherry Street to Rubber Ave and onto Old Firehouse Rd.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of Maple Street it briefly stopped and Naugatuck Officer Jullian attempted to approach the vehicle. Upon approach, the vehicle accelerated and struck the officer running over his foot.

The vehicle then turned right onto Church Street nearly striking another vehicle and continued traveling in the opposite direction. The vehicle continued past the intersection of Division street and collided with another Naugatuck police vehicle responding to the incident, operated by Sergeant Derek Vostinak.

The operator was taken into custody and identified as Misha Flores (27 years old) of Waterbury. Flores was charged with Operating under the influence of Drugs / Alcohol, Reckless Driving, Engaging police in pursuit, 2 counts of Assault on an officer and 2 counts of interfering with an officer. She was also charged with numerous motor vehicle violations.

The officers involved in the incident were not seriously injured, both were examined and treated by EMS on scene and did not require further medical attention. Church Street near Division street was closed for several hours as police investigated the crash.