Woman Steals DOT Vehicle After 3-Car Crash on Route 15

A wild chain of events unfolded on Route 15 in Orange. It ended with a Hamden woman facing a stack of charges for allegedly stealing a Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) vehicle right after a three-car crash.

Police say Dominique Dancy, 46, bolted from the accident scene in a DOT service truck. State troopers stopped her a short time later.

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The range of charges—operating under the influence, motor vehicle larceny, and more—has left people around the area shaking their heads. The whole thing feels almost surreal.

Three-Car Crash in Orange Leads to Unlikely Theft

It all started just before 9 a.m. Thursday on Route 15 southbound near Exit 57 in Orange. A DOT service truck rolled up to help out before police even arrived.

While a DOT worker was assisting at the scene, police say one of the drivers involved made a move no one saw coming. Instead of waiting, Dancy allegedly jumped into the DOT truck and took off.

Hamden Driver Accused of Stealing DOT Truck

Police say Dancy sped off in the DOT vehicle, heading southbound. State troopers chased her down and brought the truck to a halt.

During the response, a state trooper suffered minor injuries. Thankfully, the officer didn’t need much medical care.

Suspect Appeared Intoxicated, Say Police

Authorities suspect Dancy was under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the ordeal. That suspicion just adds to the seriousness of what she’s facing.

Troopers moved in fast and took her into custody after stopping the stolen truck. There wasn’t any further drama at that point.

Lengthy List of Criminal Charges

Dancy faces several big accusations, including:

Operating Under the Influence
Reckless Driving
Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
Interfering with an Officer

She’s being held on a $150,000 bond and is set for arraignment in Derby Superior Court on Friday.

Local Impact Across Multiple Connecticut Communities

The incident happened in Orange, but it’s got people talking all over. Folks in Hamden, Derby, New Haven, Milford, West Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, and Waterbury can’t quite believe it.

It’s rare for someone to go from crash victim to alleged state truck thief in seconds. Honestly, who expects that?

Public Safety Concerns

This case brings up bigger worries about safety on the roads and how unpredictable things can get. Lately, Fairfield and New Haven Counties have seen more incidents involving substances and reckless driving.

But mixing intoxication with the theft of an official state vehicle right in the middle of a crash investigation? That’s on a whole new level.

Route 15 Safety Remains a Priority

Route 15—Wilbur Cross Parkway to most—has always been a busy commuter route connecting New Haven with cities like Stratford and Norwalk. Accidents here usually get a quick response from DOT workers and troopers alike.

Still, what happened in Orange just proves that even well-rehearsed routines can get thrown off by one wild decision. Makes you wonder what’s next.

Looking Ahead

Dominique Dancy’s court date is coming up, and people across Connecticut are paying attention. There’s some talk that the case could push the state to introduce new rules to protect state property during roadside incidents.

DOT crews want to help out without worrying about their safety or theft. State officials keep urging everyone—drivers, emergency workers, and just regular folks—to stay alert and look out for each other.

Right now, communities from Hamden to Hartford are still processing what happened. It started as a routine morning crash and, somehow, ended with a state truck taken by someone who was allegedly impaired.

Honestly, with how unpredictable roads are these days, being ready for anything seems just as important as trying to avoid accidents in the first place.

Here is the source article for this story: Woman Steals DOT Vehicle After 3-Car Crash On Route 15 In Orange: Reports

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