Large Police Response Shuts I-84 West in Manchester; Expect Delays

In the early hours of Saturday, a wild police chase and gunfire exchange rattled Manchester, Connecticut. The chaos spilled onto I-84 westbound, shocking nearby communities and leaving traffic at a standstill.

It all started as a regular traffic stop, nothing unusual at first. But then, things escalated fast—drivers found themselves stranded while police scrambled to figure out what had just happened.

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Early Morning Incident in Manchester

Local police say officers tried to pull over a car near Center Street in Manchester around 1:42 a.m. The driver seemed cooperative for a moment, then suddenly sped off toward the I-84 westbound on-ramp from West Middle Turnpike.

That unexpected move kicked off a multi-unit police chase. The suspect floored it, heading straight for Hartford.

Use of Stop Sticks and Escalation

Officers tossed stop sticks onto the road, hoping to slow the car down. The spikes worked a bit—the car slowed, but didn’t stop.

Things got even more dangerous. Police say the suspect started shooting at them while racing down I-84. At least one Manchester officer fired back, hitting both the suspect and the car.

The Scene on I-84

The chase ended abruptly in the middle of I-84 westbound when the suspect’s car finally stopped. First responders rushed in, giving medical aid before getting the injured suspect to a nearby hospital.

Drivers heading to Vernon, East Hartford, and Hartford faced huge delays as police rerouted traffic away from the chaos.

Eyewitness Accounts and Visuals

Eyewitness News teams captured the scene, showing a heavy police presence and a mobile command post near the Forbes Street overpass. Some of what they noticed:

The suspect’s car had a shattered front passenger window
A bullet hole marked the rear passenger window
The car door was open, and a first aid kit sat on the road

Police blocked off the affected stretch of highway. No one seemed sure when I-84 westbound would reopen.

Impact on Connecticut Communities

Incidents like this really shake people up across Connecticut. Folks in Manchester, Hartford, Vernon, East Hartford, South Windsor, Glastonbury, Windsor, and Bristol say they’re uneasy about late-night travel now.

Word of the chase spread quickly, making commuters question their own safety on the roads.

Law Enforcement Response

Police departments across Connecticut have their own ways of handling violent situations. The Manchester Police Department teamed up with other agencies to secure the area and investigate what went down.

They worked to get the highway back to normal as soon as they could.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities haven’t released the suspect’s name or said why they pulled the car over in the first place. Investigators are digging through evidence from the car, dashcam videos, and eyewitness accounts.

They’re also figuring out if they’ll file any charges related to the gunfire aimed at officers.

Public Safety Considerations

Police urge residents to stay alert and report anything suspicious right away. High-speed chases with gunfire put everyone at risk—not just officers, but also regular drivers and pedestrians in places like Glastonbury and Bristol.

Traffic Advisory for Connecticut Drivers

If you’re planning to head into Hartford or toward Windsor and Vernon, keep an eye on traffic reports and Connecticut DOT updates. I-84 westbound closures and detours could affect your route.

Honestly, delays might ripple out, slowing down travel as far as South Windsor and East Hartford. It’s just one of those days where you hope for the best and expect the unexpected.

Community Awareness

Incidents like this really highlight why community awareness matters. Working with law enforcement isn’t just helpful—it’s kind of essential sometimes.

Connecticut’s highways connect towns so closely that what happens in Manchester can spill into other cities in no time. It’s a bit unnerving how quickly things can shift.

Authorities are still digging into what happened. In the meantime, residents and drivers should stay alert, check for updates, and just try to keep safety in mind if they’re heading through those areas.

Here is the source article for this story: Heavy police presence seen on I-84 west in Manchester

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