A Connecticut State Police cruiser in Mystic was involved in a crash as the trooper in it helped pursue a kidnapping suspect on Sunday night.
The kidnapping suspect was identified as 40-year-old Seth Parenteau of Southbridge, MA. He was pursued into Connecticut by way of Rhode Island.
Stonington police said the trooper crashed into an unrelated vehicle at the intersection of Route 27 and Coogan Boulevard just after 9:40 p.m.
After the two vehicles collided, the Connecticut State Police cruiser veered into the Seaport Shell gas station parking lot and came to rest after striking an unoccupied parked vehicle, said Deputy Chief Todd Olson, Stonington Police Department. Both the Connecticut State Police Trooper and the operator of the second vehicle involved were transported to Lawrence and Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released.
Reports suggest that the suspect’s vehicle, a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with Massachusetts registration 2MED54, fled southbound, entered Connecticut, and then re-entered Rhode Island. Rhode Island State Police were able to stop the vehicle without incident on Church Street in the Town of Richmond.
Parenteau was placed into custody, evaluated at Westerly Hospital, and later transported to Rhode Island State Police Headquarters.
According to Rhode Island State Police, Parenteau was arraigned in front of a justice of the peace on charges of eluding, reckless driving, child endangerment, and obstruction. He was held on $6,000 surety bail.
A juvenile who was in the suspect’s vehicle was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for evaluation and later released to a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
The crash involving the Connecticut State Police cruiser and the unrelated vehicle is currently under investigation by the Stonington Police Department.
The Connecticut State Police cruiser involved in the accident was part of a motor vehicle pursuit that had originated in Rhode Island and had exited Interstate 95 at exit 90 with Rhode Island State Police and Connecticut State Police pursuing a reported kidnapping suspect, Olson said.
Details about the kidnapping incident in Southbridge, MA that led to the pursuit and subsequent crash have not been released.
The Connecticut State Police, Rhode Island State Police, and Stonington Police Department are working together to investigate the crash and determine the events leading up to it.
As of now, the road at the intersection of Route 27 and Coogan Boulevard remains open, but traffic delays may occur as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Stonington Police Department.
