BY BRUNO MATARAZZO JR.
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
NAUGATUCK A man who drove the wrong way on Route 8 in 2021 while fleeing from police and ultimately stopped when an officer crashed into him head-on was sentenced Jan. 4 in Waterbury Superior Court to nine years in prison.
Donta Crocket
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The officer in the car that was hit was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries.
Officers utilizing the department s patrol K9 were able to locate both individuals a short distance away from the crash. Police said 29-year-old Donta Lamont Crockett, of West Haven, and 28-year-old Jeffniqua Tyshon Smith, of New Haven, were arrested.
Police said 39 bags of crack cocaine, 80 bags of heroin, over $3,500 in cash, and a .380 semi-automatic pistol were found during their investigation. Both individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms.
Crockett faces charges including reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, evading responsibility with injury, interfering and assault on an officer, breach of peace, first-degree reckless endangerment, illegal possession of a pistol, and drug offenses. Smith faces charges including reckless endangerment, illegal possession of a pistol, and drug offenses. Crockett is being held on a $500,000 bond and Smith is being held on a $100,000 bond.
Updated: 11:27 PM EDT July 3, 2021
NAUGATUCK, Conn. Police in Naugatuck attempted to investigate a suspicious vehicle Friday night when the car fled the scene. Officers located the car and the driver engaged police in a brief pursuit before driving on to Route 8 incorrectly.
The car driving the wrong way on Route 8, struck a police cruiser head-on. The collision caused both cars to be disabled on the road. The two people in the car then fled the scene on foot. The officer in the police cruiser involved was taken to the hospital with injuries. They were treated and released.
Credit: Naugatuck Police Department