Police: Man Crashes Into a Tree, Gets Nabbed for Drug Possession

A 21 year-old man was arrested on Saturday after he led officers on a chase that resulted in a crash and a narcotics arrest, according to police. 

An officer observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, so he followed it as it turned onto Westport Avenue, police said. The vehicle continued to increase speed as it turned left onto Strawberry Hill Avenue. After completing a u-turn and heading back towards Westport Avenue, the officer said he saw the vehicle weaving in and out of traffic without signaling and then turn onto Dry Hill Road where it hit a curb and damaged the tire, police said. 

After losing sight of the vehicle, officers later found that the vehicle collided with a tree, police said. The driver—Jaequann Gilbert of 356 Main Street—was taken out of the car and appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, police said. As Gilbert was exiting the vehicle, a bag containing what appeared to be crack-cocaine fell to the ground. A second bag with more of the substance was also found inside of the car, police side.

After being evaluated at Norwalk Hospital, Gilbert was arrested and charged with failure to bring a motor vehicle to a full stop, engaging police in a pursuit, possession of narcotics, possession of a controlled substance and reckless driving. His bond was set at $10,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court on April 29.