On 02/18/2024, at approximately 8:36 p.m., dispatch personnel at Troop G in Bridgeport received information from the Milford Police Department that vehicles were reported to be racing on I-95 Northbound in the area of Exit 40 in Milford.
A responding Trooper located two BMWs on I-95 Northbound in the area of Exit 44, weaving in and out of traffic and traveling at speeds of excess of 90 MPH. Based on these observations, the Trooper initiated a traffic stop by activating their vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens. In response, a blue BMW accelerated in an apparent effort to elude the traffic stop. The Trooper observed the blue BMW cutting in and out of the flow of traffic, maneuvering across multiple lanes and narrowly avoiding collisions in doing so. In the interest of safety, the Trooper deactivated their vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens and terminated efforts to conduct the traffic stop.
The Trooper had obtained sufficient information to determine that the blue BMW, a 2016 BMW 340i, was actively registered to an individual with an address in Norwalk. A short time later, Troopers arrived at the Norwalk address and spoke with the registered owner, who indicated that they would advise the individual in possession of the BMW to make contact with the investigating Troopers.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., a male, positively identified as Jake Palmer, DOB 11/04/2003, of Norwalk, arrived at Troop G and verbally admitted to Troopers that he had been operating the blue BMW at the time of the attempted traffic stop. Palmer was subsequently taken into custody, processed and charged with the following violations:
C.G.S 14-223(b)**, Engaging Police in Pursuit
C.G.S 14-222, Reckless Driving
C.G.S 14-164a, Racing on a Limited Access Highway
C.G.S 53a-64, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree
C.G.S 53a-167a, Interfering with a Police Officer
Palmer was released on a $5,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at New Haven Superior Court, on 03/12/2024.