A Connecticut state trooper has had his police powers suspended in connection with a serious crash that happened in Clinton back on Christmas Day in 2022, according to the Connecticut State Police.
The accident happened during the early evening hours on West Main Street as Trooper Daniel Barrera was responding to a call.
Authorities said Barrera hit a RAV4 that was trying to turn onto West Main Street. A Ford Taurus was also hit by one of the vehicles involved in the accident. The driver of the RAV4 suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash.
Both Barrera and the driver of the Taurus had to go to the hospital as well to be treated for non-life threatening injuries, according to police.
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In an arrest warrant, the driver of the RAV4 told authorities that she believed Barrera had run through a red light. Investigators reviewing the trooper's in-car dash cam video determined that Barrera had proceeded through the intersection without stopping after the light turned red.
According to pre-crash data records, Barrera was going 47 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone five seconds before the crash. His speed decreased to 39 mph right before the crash happened, according to the warrant.
Investigators ultimately determined that Barrera was "acting in his full capacity as a law enforcement officer responding to a legitimate call for service in a police vehicle with its emergency lights and audible siren activated."
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The warrant goes on to say that he violated the posted speed limit and ran through two red lights. Because of this, police said Barrera "failed to use due regard," and jeopardized the safety of both occupants.
State police said on Monday that Barrera has been placed on administrative leave with pay and had his police powers suspended.
He has been a state police trooper since January 2021. He was charged with reckless driving on Monday.
