Thomas MacMillan Photo
A car fleeing state troopers on the highway ended up crashing Tuesday night in front of El Amigo Felix, setting Howe Street ablaze with flashing police lights.
The car crashed at 10 p.m., and a driver was taken away in a stretcher, apparently wearing handcuffs. Two shirtless bar patrons joined a crowd of onlookers at outside seats at the Mexican restaurant at 8 Whalley Ave. At least eight state and local police cruisers blocked off the area.
The collision bought a dramatic end to a pursuit that started on I‑95 near Milford, according to Lt. Paul Vance, spokesman for the state police.
State police starting following a black car on the highway because of unspecified “motor vehicle violations,” Vance said.
The black car left the highway and entered New Haven through Route 34, the Oak Street Connector.
State cops lost the car in the area of North Frontage and Howe Streets, according to city spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga. New Haven police got a description of the vehicle and tracked it down on Howe Street. City cops spotted the car soon after, traveling down Howe street “at a high rate of speed,” she said.
The car crashed into a traffic median on Broadway, dislodging a large piece of a flower planter.
The driver was taken away in a stretcher at about 10:15 p.m. City police are investigating the crash. Mayorga said city cops arrested the driver, but his age, identity and the charges against him were not available. Vance said state police plan to arrest the man on separate charges related to the highway pursuit.
In other news, according to Mayorga:
A man driving over the Ferry Street bridge reported being shot at by a person on a bicycle. The incident happened sometime Tuesday: No specific time was given. The victim told police he was driving over the bridge when three males on bicycles blocked the way. The driver and one of the people on the bikes got into an argument. One of the people on the bikes took out a gun and shot at the truck. One suspect, a 17-year-old male who was identified as the shooter, was arrested.
Police responded to a report of a bomb threat at 52 Howe St. at 4:56 p.m. Tuesday. The building was evacuated and searched, but nothing suspicious was found.
And a victim reported being slashed in the face with a box cutter during a robbery Tuesday morning near the Best Gas station on Sherman Avenue. The victim reported being robbed of a gold chain by two men wearing ski masks. The victim was treated for non life threatening injuries.
See, if they'd had been riding bicycles this never would have happened. Cars are evil, evil i tell you.
Oh wait, what's this? a man on a BICYCLE pulling a drive by?
ok, revamp. ANYONE WHO USES WHEELED TRANSPORTATION IS BAD, AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EVILS IN NEW HAVEN.
Back to basics. Walking and swimming only.