WESTBROOK, Conn. -- A veteran state trooper had just left the Troop F barracks in Westbrook and pulled onto Route 153 on Monday afternoon when two men fleeing a robbery smashed their car into his vehicle, law enforcement sources said.
Both vehicles hurtled off the road, either on their side or upside down, and no more than 15 feet apart.
In the shootout that ensued, Trooper Scott Wisner, a 21-year veteran who works as a detective with the Central District Major Crime Squad, fired from the driver's window toward the two suspects, who fired back at him, sources said.
Wisner shot one of them, while also taking a bullet in the shoulder, sources said. A second trooper, Sgt. Keith Graham, arrived at the crash scene during the shootout and shot the second suspect, who still was in the car, sources said. Graham is a 14-year veteran and has been assigned to administrative duties while the investigation continues, according to a release from state police.
Wisner was loaded into another state police car and rushed to the nearby Shoreline Medical Center in Essex. He is expected to survive.
Both suspects were also taken by ambulance to the clinic, where one was pronounced dead. The other was taken to Hartford Hospital by helicopter. His status was not clear Tuesday morning.
The suspects were fleeing Old Saybrook police after a robbery at the Days Inn in their town, police said. They have not been identified.
Sources said the suspects were assaulting and robbing someone at the hotel.
Police were still at the Days Inn on Tuesday morning, and on Tuesday afternoon, they searched a room at the Heritage Motor Inn at 1500 Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook. A hotel employee said someone involved in Monday's robbery had been at the hotel.
State police Sgt. Donna Tadiello said the wounded trooper was badly hurt but that his injuries were not life-threatening.
"We are hoping for a full recovery," Tadiello said. "His injuries are very severe."
The shooting happened about 2:50 p.m. on Route 153 near Docs Hill Road in Westbrook.
Old Saybrook police declined to release any information about the incident in their town and referred questions to state police.
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