GROTON, CT — A 23-year-old man died after crashing into a traffic pole while fleeing from police early Tuesday morning on Route 12.
Nigel Badal, of Groton, was pronounced dead at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital following the 2:36 a.m. crash.
A Groton Town Police officer on patrol observed a 1996 Geo Prizm traveling northbound on Route 12 at a high rate of speed through a red light at the intersection where the off ramp from Route 184 westbound intersects with Route 12.
The officer then observed the vehicle make an illegal U-turn through another red light at Route 12 and Pleasant Valley Road South and continue southbound on Route 12.
The officer activated his emergency lights to conduct a motor vehicle stop in the area of the Super 8 Motel at 173 Route 12.
The vehicle continued traveling at a high rate of speed south on Route 12 in the area where it becomes Long Hill Road South.
The vehicle then attempted to make a right-hand turn from Long Hill Road South onto Kings Highway westbound, but struck a steel traffic pole located at the southwest corner of Kings Highway.
The officer immediately requested emergency medical services and rendered aid to Badal, who was the lone occupant of the vehicle.
Groton Ambulance personnel transported Badal to L&M Hospital for life-threatening injuries, where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel.
A loaded handgun was observed in plain view inside the vehicle during extrication efforts.
The Connecticut State Police’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad responded to the scene to conduct a reconstruction of the crash.
Long Hill Road in the area of Kings Highway was closed to motor vehicle traffic while the crash was being investigated and reopened at approximately 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Groton Police Department at 860-441-6712.
