Waterbury man arrested in crash involving Wallingford cruiser

WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Wallingford Police arrest a Waterbury man in connection with a crash involving a Wallingford police cruiser.

Police say Jesse Benefield, 52, of Waterbury, was allegedly driving a red 2005 GMC Sierra pickup truck when he struck the passenger side of a Wallingford police cruiser that was assisting State Police in diverting traffic off I-91 due to a previous crash.

It's believed Benefield was driving around 65-80 miles per hour.

The officer suffered minor injuries. Benefield was not hurt.

Police say Benefield was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Benefield is charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, disobeying an officer's signal, traveling unreasonably fast, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

He is released on a $5,000 bond and is due in Meriden court on August 23, 2024.