CT man charged with driving motorcycle through I-95 hours after fiery crash that destroyed overpass

A Stamford man has been accused of ignoring a state police trooper when drove a his motorcycle through Interstate 95 and nearly struck road crews hours after an overpass was damaged during a fiery crash involving a tanker.

Vladimir Ruales-Espinosa, 31, turned himself in at Troop G in Bridgeport Wednesday on charges of reckless driving, first-degree reckless endangerment, operating under suspension, disobeying the signal of an officer, failure to display plates and operating a motorcycle without an endorsement, according to Connecticut State Police.

State police said the charges stem from an incident on May 2 shortly after 12:30 p.m. as troopers were helping detour traffic around the Fairfield Avenue overpass above I-95. Hours earlier, a crash involving a passenger vehicle, a tractor-trailer and a tanker carrying 8,500 gallons of fuel led to a massive fire that damaged the overpass beyond repair.

CT officials: I-95 shut down for extended period following fiery crash; bridge has to ‘come down’

The highway would ultimately be closed for several days as crews worked to tear down the overpass, which was deemed unsafe following the fiery crash.

During the incident involving Ruales-Espinosa, state police said he was driving a motorcycle when he pulled up beside a trooper who was assisting with traffic detours on I-95 North in the area of Exit 14.

According to state police, Ruales-Espinosa was directed to get off the highway using a designated traffic pattern, but instead he allegedly accelerated and maneuvered around the trooper’s cruiser.

Multiple troopers in the area tried to pull Ruales-Espinosa over as his driving allegedly put himself and road crews at risk, state police said. Instead, he allegedly drove through the closed portion of the highway, “narrowly avoiding colliding with (Department of Transportation) personnel and eluding troopers,” state police said.

State police later sought a warrant charging Ruales-Espinosa in connection with the incident. Following his arrest, he posted $75,000 bond and is expected to face a judge in Stamford Superior Court on July 18.