Two people were arrested after leading officers on a car chase and smashing into a police cruiser with an officer inside, officials said.
Police said they responded to Walmart on New Haven Road to investigate a suspicious vehicle. When officers tried to make contact, the car fled, hitting a parked car, according to police.
The car was located by officers on South Main Street and engaged in a brief pursuit before entering Route 8 on the wrong side of the highway, officials said.
An officer tried to enter the highway on-ramp when it was struck head-on by the suspect vehicle. The crash disabled both cars, so both individuals fled the scene on foot, police said.
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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.
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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.
