Route 2 Wrong-Way Driver Charged With DUI in East Hartford

This article covers a serious wrong-way crash in East Hartford that’s led to DUI and multiple criminal charges against a Pennsylvania man.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, Connecticut State Police responded to a head-on collision on Route 2 involving a Jeep Wrangler and a Hyundai Elantra.

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The driver accused of causing the crash allegedly fled the scene. Officers later found him and say he showed clear signs of impairment.

This case has sparked a lot of renewed concern about road safety and impaired driving in Connecticut communities.

Wrong-Way Crash Shakes East Hartford Early Sunday Morning

State police say the crash happened around 3:51 a.m. near Exit 2B on Route 2 East. This stretch is well-known to folks traveling between East Hartford and Hartford.

A 20-year-old woman from Glastonbury drove the Hyundai Elantra when the Jeep Wrangler came straight at her, heading the wrong way.

Wrong-way collisions are brutal because of the force involved. In this case, first responders rushed the victim to Hartford Hospital for treatment.

She survived, which is honestly a relief, but the crash has reignited local talk about how to prevent these kinds of incidents on Connecticut highways.

Jeep Driver Allegedly Fled the Scene

Police say the Jeep’s driver—identified as 24-year-old Nolan Murphy-Genoa of Hershey, Pennsylvania—didn’t stick around after the crash.

Instead, he left before officers arrived, which only makes things worse legally, especially with injuries involved.

Troopers found Murphy-Genoa not long after. According to officials, he showed obvious signs of impairment in the way he spoke and moved.

They detained him and brought him to Troop H in Hartford for further investigation.

Charges Filed After Field Sobriety Tests

Once in custody, Murphy-Genoa reportedly failed the standard field sobriety tests.

Police say this, along with witness statements and their on-scene findings, made it clear he was responsible for the crash.

Multiple Offenses Charged

The charges Murphy-Genoa faces are serious, reflecting both the alleged reckless driving and his decision to leave the crash.

DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
Evading Responsibility with Injury
Reckless Driving
First-Degree Reckless Endangerment

After his arrest, Murphy-Genoa was released on a $5,000 bond. He’s due in Manchester Superior Court on October 29.

Impact on Connecticut Communities

Crashes like this don’t just affect the drivers—they rattle the whole region. People from Newington, Wethersfield, and Vernon who use Route 2 have voiced frustration about impaired drivers.

High-speed roads connecting places like Middletown and New Britain can get dangerous fast when someone’s driving the wrong way.

A Renewed Call for Road Safety Measures

Local officials have talked about adding more wrong-way detection systems at highway ramps and stepping up overnight patrols.

Connecticut’s already invested in new signs, cameras, and flashing red lights to warn drivers, but these crashes keep happening. Clearly, there’s more work to do.

Final Thoughts

This East Hartford crash really hits home—one wrong move on the road, and lives can change in an instant. The legal process for Murphy-Genoa will unfold in Manchester, but honestly, the bigger takeaway is for all Connecticut drivers.

Whether you’re in Hartford or Middletown, it’s worth staying alert, especially late at night or before dawn. These hours seem to invite the unexpected.

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Here is the source article for this story: Wrong way driver charged with DUI after fleeing head-on collision on Route 2 in East Hartford

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