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The Middlesex County incident occurred in Middletown on Friday, May 3.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., a Connecticut State Police (CSP) car was traveling north in the leftmost lane of Route 9, near Exit 21, when the vehicle had to slow down due to a prior accident on the roadway.
James Paternostro, age 30, who was driving behind the police car on the expressway, attempted to change lanes while the cop car was slowing down; while changing lanes, he allegedly struck the CSP car’s rear passenger side bumper.
Paternostro continued driving after the crash.
He and his car, which detectives said had matching damage from the incident, were later located at his Old Saybrook residence.
CSP said that based on the physical evidence and statements from both parties involved in the crash, Paternostro was determined to be at fault for following too closely behind the CSP car.
He was issued a misdemeanor summons for the following charges:
- Evading responsibility
- Following too close resulting in a motor vehicle accident
Paternostro is due at GA9 Middletown Court on Tuesday, May 21.
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