CT man said he ‘did not recall’ alleged DUI crash on I-91

A Connecticut man is charged with driving under the influence and other counts after he allegedly fled a multi-vehicle crash in Cromwell Wednesday, Connecticut State Police said in a statement Thursday.

State police said Cesar Estrada, 36, of Plainville, told troopers “he did not recall being involved in an accident,” after he allegedly struck two vehicles on I-91 north and took off.

When troopers located Estrada after the crash, state police said, Estrada allegedly exhibited “visible signs of impairment.” Troopers administered Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and Estrada did not perform to standard, according to state police.

State police said the incident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. as Estrada was driving a Nissan Maxima when he struck a Freightliner as he attempted to merge from the entrance ramp at Exit 21 into the right lane of I-91 north.

State police said Estrada then lost control of the Nissan and crashed into a Toyota Tundra traveling in the center lane.

Estrada allegedly evaded the scene and continued on I-91 north, according to state police.

Shortly after arriving at the scene, troopers found the Nissan, unoccupied, on the right shoulder of I-91 near Exit 23, state police said.

Troopers traced the vehicle to its registered owner, who said the Nissan was last operated by Estrada, according to state police.

State police said the owner told troopers she was with Estrada at a clinic in Middletown.

After locating Estrada at the clinic, state police said Estrada confirmed “that he was the sole occupant of the Nissan earlier that morning.” However, Estrada said he did not remember being involved in a crash, according to state police.

During the interview, state police said Estrada “appeared to be impaired.” After failing to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Testing to standard, Estrada was arrested, state police said.

Estrada was processed at CSP Troop H in Hartford, state police said. He is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court at 9 a.m. July 22.

Estrada is charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs as a second offense, failure to maintain the proper lane on a limited access highway and two counts of evading responsibility.