State Police track down drivers after illegal race near Newington

NEWINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) – Connecticut State Police tracked down two drivers after an illegal street race Wednesday morning put commuters near Newington in danger.

The reckless driving was witnessed by a Trooper from Troop H at 7:20 a.m. while they were traveling southbound on Route 9 near Exit 39. The Trooper observed two vehicles traveling southbound approaching him at a high rate of speed that were cutting in and out of traffic in what appeared to be a race.

The Trooper caught up to the vehicles and recorded their license plates. The vehicles were a black Acura RSX and a blue Audi S5.

Both vehicles continued at speeds up to 110 mph putting other rush hour drivers at risks. The Trooper determined that neither vehicle intended to stop and he called off his pursuit for the safety of morning commuters.

Troopers determined that the Acura was registered to a New Britain residence. They met with the owner who explained that the car was being borrowed by 31-year-old Ainsworth Salmon from Bloomfield.

The owner of the Acura contacted Salmon and at 10:00 a.m., Salmon turned himself in to Troop H. He was charged with Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, Improper Passing, Disobeying the Signal of an Officer and Operating Without a License.

State Police followed the same procedure with the Audi and spoke with the registered owner in East Hartford. The owner contacted 20-year-old Aryana Pereira, who had been driving the Audi during the race.

Pereira only possessed a learner’s permit at the time of arrest and she was not accompanied by a licensed driver. She was charged with Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, Improper Passing, Disobeying the Signal of an Officer and Operating Without a License.

Both Pereira and Salmon were released on $1,500 bond and both are due to appear in court on October 4th.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.