State Trooper Honored For Stopping Wrong-Way Driver In Darien

Patch
The incident occurred in January of this year.

DARIEN, CT — During a ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the State Police Training Academy in Meriden, State Police Trooper Eduardo Santiago received the Medal for Meritorious Service for stopping a wrong-way driver in the Darien area earlier this year.

Santiago, from Troop G in Bridgeport, was one of several troopers to receive awards for service in Troop A, B, G and L area towns.

The Connecticut State Police regularly honors Troopers "who demonstrate exceptional service in the line of duty." The ceremony also honors men and women serving in local and federal law enforcement agencies, those serving as first responders, and civilians.

Award winners Tuesday received medals and certificates from Commissioner Dora B. Schriro and State Police
Colonel George F. Battle. Governor Dannel Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman also attended and
addressed the recipients.

Below is a description of Trooper Santiago's actions:

On Jan.15, 2018, Troop G dispatch received numerous 911 calls reporting a wrong-way driver on I-95 in Stamford. The vehicle was observed on highway cameras traveling northbound in the southbound lanes at a high rate of speed. Traffic at the time was moderate and there were numerous near misses with passing motorists.

Trooper Santiago immediately drove to the area, slowing down traffic with a rolling road block. He observed the suspect vehicle coming at him in the area of exit 12 in Darien, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision, but striking his cruiser. Both vehicles sustained heavy, disabling damage and were blocking the left and center lanes. Due to damage to his cruiser, Trooper Santiago was forced to climb out of the passenger side to check on the suspect vehicle’s driver.

After failing field sobriety tests, the suspect was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was taken into custody. Trooper Santiago intentionally put himself in harm’s way to protect other drivers on the road. He earned the Medal for Meritorious Service.

The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to those who render service with a high degree of alertness,
perseverance and superior judgment in the performance of a difficult task resulting in the protection of
life, recovery of property, the prevention of – or solving of – a major crime or the apprehension of an
armed or dangerous person.

Image via Shutterstock

To sign up for Darien breaking news alerts and more, click here.