Teens collide with police cruiser and pickup truck during multi-town car chase in Connecticut.

Two teenagers were taken into custody and one remains at large following a high-speed police chase that culminated in a substantial collision in Connecticut. The chase involved a stolen black 2002 Mercedes S500 which began on Wednesday evening at approximately 7:30 PM when officers attempted to pull the vehicle over for a traffic violation in Groton. The driver fled, and the ensuing pursuit involved multiple towns and significant risks to public safety.

The incident escalated rapidly as the Mercedes was spotted at a local establishment shortly after it fled from the initial traffic stop. Officers from the Town of Groton re-engaged but were met with resistance when the vehicle rammed a police cruiser, prompting officers to pursue the vehicle along a busy stretch of Route 1. The driver recklessly navigated through traffic, disregarding speed limits and traffic signals, thereby endangering other motorists.

In an effort to bring the chase to an end, law enforcement deployed tire-deflating devices. However, the driver swerved to avoid these obstacles and subsequently crashed into a pickup truck, which was carrying two children and an adult passenger. Following the collision, one child was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, although no serious injuries were reported.

Despite the chaos, the Mercedes continued its flight, proceeding onto Interstate 95 south towards Waterford. The Connecticut State Police took over the pursuit, which ultimately concluded near a construction zone in East Lyme, approximately 10 miles from the site of the initial traffic stop. At this point, all three individuals in the vehicle exited and fled into nearby woods.

Authorities successfully apprehended a 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, both subsequently charged with interfering with an officer. They received juvenile summonses and were later released. The driver, whose identity remains unknown, is still at large, with local police actively searching for him.

The police activity associated with the pursuit resulted in the temporary closure of Long Hill Road, Kings Highway, and both directions of I-95 near Exit 74 for several hours, although these routes have since been reopened. Fortunately, the police cruiser involved experienced only minor damage, and no officers sustained injuries during the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have stated that there is no continued threat to public safety, asking anyone with information about the escapee to come forward.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges that law enforcement faces with regards to vehicle pursuits and youth involvement in criminal activity. The community remains vigilant in the wake of this harrowing event, and local police stress the importance of cooperation as they work to resolve the case.

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