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Man Charged With DUI After Highway Chase In Norwalk

NORWALK, Conn. -- Two construction workers were injured after a man fleeing from Norwalk police crashed into a work zone on I-95 southbound Saturday, according to police.

Norwalk police arrested a Bridgeport man after a chase and crash on I-95.

Norwalk police arrested a Bridgeport man after a chase and crash on I-95.

Photo Credit: File

The chase started at 2:10 a.m. Saturday when police said a minivan fled from a Norwalk officer. The officer had observed a minor equipment violation on the minivan, which was traveling north on West Avenue, according to police. The officer continued north on West Avenue while he checked the vehicle's registration plate, and the van got onto I-95 south. When the computer indicated the plate was stolen, the officer turned around and located the van traveling south in the right lane of I-95, police said.

As the officer was confirming the stolen plates, the van drove onto the shoulder of the highway and slowed to about 10 mph, according to police. The officer pulled behind and activated his lights, at which point police said the minivan suddenly sped up, swerving from the right shoulder to the left lane and back into the right lane.

The officer activated his siren, attempting to stop the minivan, but the van kept going and passed several vehicles at a high rate of speed near exit 14, police said. The officer broke off the pursuit as it neared a construction sign with signs posted, and lost sight of the minivan, according to police. He notified state police of the suspect's last known location.

Police said the minivan continued on and the driver lost control in the construction zone near exit 11. The van crashed into a guardrail and then a construction truck, injuring two workers. The force of the impact ejected one of the female passengers from the van, causing serious injuries. The driver and a second female passenger were also injured, police said. A total of four victims and the driver were taken by ambulance to Norwalk and Stamford Hospitals.

The driver was identified as Marino De Los Santos, 35, of Bridgeport. According to police, Santos admitted that he had been drinking and did not have a license. He was charged with operating under the influence, four counts of second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, reckless operation, engaging in pursuit, possession of a stolen registration plate, misuse of plates, operating a motor vehicle without a license, failure to carry insurance card, and failure to have tail lamps. Bond was set at $50,000 ad he will appear in court Sept. 8.

State police have assumed the motor vehicle accident investigation.

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