Watch Conn. Trooper's PIT Manuevers End High-Speed Chase

A stolen vehicle pursuit in Montville came to a close after a Connecticut State Police trooper executed two PIT maneuvers to disable the car, and two suspects were arrested.

Feb. 9, 2026

3 min read

What to know

A Connecticut state trooper and a state police sergeant from Troop E were placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into a deadly force incident during a high-speed pursuit that ended with a PIT maneuver crash in Norwich.
The Office of the Inspector General is reviewing Trooper Wilfred J. Blanchette’s actions after he rammed a reportedly stolen vehicle traveling over 120 mph on Nov. 24, following authorization from a supervising sergeant.
Investigators are also examining whether state pursuit policies were followed.

By Greg Smith

Source The Day, New London, Conn.

A state trooper and a state police sergeant from Montville's Troop E barracks were placed on administrative leave during an investigation into the use of deadly force during a high speed police chase last year that ended in a crash in Norwich where a trooper used his police cruiser to ram the fleeing vehicle.

The state Office of the Inspector General said in a statement Friday that Trooper Wilfred J. Blanchette is under investigation for his use of a pursuit intervention technique," or PIT maneuver — using his cruiser to ram the rear of a fleeing vehicle on Route 2 in Norwich. The incident occurred at 11:47 a.m. on Nov. 24, 2025 and involved a reportedly stolen 2006 Honda Accord driven by Jesus Santiago of Manchester.

Blanchette had spotted the stolen car on Route 2A in Montville where it was speeding and driving erratically, the Office of the Inspector General said in a report released on Friday. Blanchette tried to stop the vehicle, but it continued to Interstate 395 North and entered Route 2 West. The Honda Accord, with Blanchette in pursuit, reached speeds of more than 120 mph, officials said.

On Route 2 in Norwich, another state trooper dropped "stop sticks" in an attempt to deflate the car's tires. Officials said one of the car’s tires deflated, but the chase continued because it did not stop. Blanchette was then granted authorization by state police Sgt. Gordon L. Leslie to perform an intentional collision to stop the car, officials said. Blanchette was traveling about 75 mph when his cruiser hit the rear quarter of the Honda Accord.

The Honda Accord did not stop, and officials said Blanchette hit the vehicle again, this time causing the Honda Accord to crash into the center median.

Santiago, the driver of the stolen car, was taken into custody immediately. Santiago's passenger, Tyloine Reddick, struggled with police and was bitten by a K-9 before he was taken into custody. The two refused medical attention.

The incident was reported to the Office of the Inspector General on Jan. 23, 2026 — two months after it happened, officials said. State police on Friday said the trooper — state police did not use Blanchette's name — is being investigated for possibly not complying with the state's pursuit policy.

The Office of the Inspector General said in a statement an investigation is ongoing into both the use of deadly force and the "troopers' subsequent conduct. Body cam video released on Friday shows two troopers struggling with Santiago and Reddick after the pursuit.

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