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The incident occurred in Hartford County around 4:30 p.m., Monday, April 1, on westbound Route 72 in Plainville.
According to Connecticut State Police, a tow truck operator reported they had been traveling to a call for service on Route 72 eastbound and entered the emergency turnaround area to reach their destination.
The driver explained that as they entered the turnaround a passenger vehicle entered the turnaround at a high rate of speed, nearly colliding with the tow truck, state police said.
State Police said the tow truck operator and the driver of the passenger vehicle exchanged words and the operator of the passenger vehicle allegedly displayed a firearm.
According to the tow truck operator, the driver of the passenger vehicle pointed the firearm at him during the exchange and then left before police arrived.
The tow truck driver provided troopers with the registration plate displayed on the passenger vehicle.
An investigation led troopers to Kevin J. Perez, age 30, of Bristol, state police said.
Troopers were initially unable to contact Perez at his home but were later able to speak with him by phone. Perez acknowledged his involvement in the incident and explained that he had displayed a firearm but had not pointed the weapon in the direction of the tow truck operator.
With the assistance of Bristol Police, troopers took Perez into custody at his home and recovered a Ruger LCP .380 handgun and ammunition.
Perez was charged with:
- Threatening
- Criminal use of a weapon
- Breach of peace
- Improper turn
He was released on a $100,000 cash/surety bond.
As a reminder, turnarounds on limited-access highways can only be used by authorized and emergency vehicles.
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