Middletown, CT – A 46-year-old Middletown man faces a series of serious criminal charges after allegedly dragging a police officer with his SUV and leading troopers on a high-speed chase early Thursday morning, authorities said. The pursuit, which reached speeds of over 100 mph, ended when law enforcement successfully boxed in the suspect and took him into custody.
Officer Dragged During Traffic Stop Attempt
According to officials, the incident began when the Rocky Hill Police Department requested assistance from Connecticut State Troopers to locate a Ford Edge involved in suspicious activity. During an attempted traffic stop, a Rocky Hill officer was reportedly dragged by the SUV, prompting state troopers to intervene.
Troopers staged along Interstate 91, and just before 2:30 a.m., one of the officers observed the suspect’s vehicle entering I-91/Route 5-15 south from Exit 27 in Hartford.
High-Speed Chase Through Multiple Exits
Once troopers activated their lights and sirens, the Ford Edge, driven by Tyshawn Adams, allegedly accelerated past 100 mph. Officials said the chase spanned multiple exits and briefly continued on surface streets before returning to the interstate.
Authorities reported that Adams turned off his headlights, crossed several lanes, and appeared to intentionally steer toward pursuing officers, further endangering law enforcement and the public.
Stop Sticks Deployed, Suspect Continues Driving
State police deployed stop sticks, successfully disabling one of the vehicle’s tires, but Adams continued driving northbound. He eventually slowed on the Exit 28 ramp, where troopers executed a box-in maneuver to bring the SUV to a stop.
During the final stop, Adams intentionally struck a police cruiser before being fully contained and arrested.
Suspect Found with Drugs and Active Warrant
Officials said Adams had an active warrant for violation of probation. Authorities also discovered fentanyl, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, as well as drug manufacturing and packaging materials inside the vehicle.
State police noted that Adams showed signs of impairment and admitted to using multiple substances before driving. He allegedly told investigators that he believed police would stop pursuing him if he exceeded 100 mph.
Multiple Charges Filed
Tyshawn Adams, 46, of Middletown, was charged with a range of offenses, including:
- Reckless driving
- Disobeying an officer’s signal
- Engaging police in a pursuit
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Failing to drive in the proper lane
- Operating a drug factory
- Possession with intent to sell controlled substances
- Interfering with an officer / resisting arrest
Authorities described the chase and the suspect’s actions as extremely dangerous to both officers and the public.
Bond Set, Court Appearance Scheduled
Adams was held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. Officials emphasized that the case remains under investigation and additional charges could be filed depending on the outcome.
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