Teen Displays Gun During Road Rage Incident On I-395: State Police

GRISWOLD, CT — A New Britain teen is accused of displaying a gun during a road rage incident, which sparked a police pursuit through multiple towns and then a foot chase, state police said.

At 4:34 p.m. Thursday, Troop E-Montville received a 911 call from a driver on I-395 northbound by exit 21 in Griswold reporting a road rage incident.

As Troopers were responding, it was learned that the driver of the suspect vehicle, described as a white BMW X5 SUV, had reportedly displayed a firearm toward the 911 caller, state police said. Troopers were able to locate the vehicle near exit 24, "however it became apparent that the driver was not complying with Troopers' signals to stop," police said.

"Given the nature of this call, Troopers continued to follow this vehicle which had now engaged them in pursuit," state police said. "The operator of the BMW X5 exited I-395 in Plainfield, and the pursuit continued on state roadways. The operator of the BMW nearly struck another responding Trooper from Troop D head-on along Route 14 in Canterbury. The pursuit began to travel in a westerly direction from Plainfield, Canterbury, Scotland, Windham and finally ended in Columbia."

The driver and a passenger fled the car on foot and the driver, Jadin Coakley, 19, was taken into custody, and the passenger evaded capture, state police said, while adding that they later learned the identity of the passenger, who is a juvenile.

The vehicle was reported to have been stolen out of Ridgefield and a firearm was located at the scene, consistent with information provided by the original 911 caller, state police said. Suspected narcotics were also located within the vehicle, state police said.

Coakley is charged with illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, interfering with an officer/resisting, first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree threatening armed/displayed firearm, larceny of a motor vehicle — second offense, sixth-degree larceny, possession of a controlled substance, engaging police in pursuit, and reckless driving. He was given a $150,000 bond.

This is still an active investigation, police said. Anyone with information pertinent to this case is asked to contact Trooper Liam Flanagan at Troop E- Montville at 860-848-6500 or by email at [email protected].

image via Connecticut State Police