Waterbury, CT – Newly released video captures the moment a stolen vehicle slammed into a Waterbury police cruiser as the driver attempted to evade a traffic stop last week, authorities said.

Waterbury police reported that officers with the Auto Theft Task Force, Vice and Intelligence Unit, and Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force were patrolling Willow Street and Hillside Avenue around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, when they identified a stolen 2007 Honda Accord stationed at 120 Hillside Avenue.

The vehicle had been reported stolen from Bridgeport earlier that morning.

When officers attempted a stop, the 42-year-old motorist sped off, striking into a police cruiser before crashing with a brick barricade.

Officers took him into custody at the scene.

The suspect, a Naugatuck man, was transported to a hospital for treatment of a facial injury.

He faces multiple charges, including reckless driving, evading responsibility, motor vehicle theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief, and illegal possession of a controlled substance.

Authorities said he also had an active warrant out of Fairfield at the time of his arrest.

A 38-year-old female accomplice from Waterbury, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was likewise detained and charged with motor vehicle theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Waterbury police released footage of the incident, showing the moment of impact.

Tags: Waterbury