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Fairfield Man Charged With Wrong-Way Speeding On Route 8 In Shelton

SHELTON, Conn. -- A Fairfield man is facing multiple charges after leading police on a wrong-way chase along Route 8 beginning in Shelton early Wednesday, State police said. 

Thomas Plesz of Fairfield

Thomas Plesz of Fairfield

Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Thomas Plesz, 55, was traveling north on Route 8 in the southbound lanes at 12:29 a.m. between Exits 11 and 12 in Shelton, police said. Plesz ignored prompts from police to pull over and attempted to drive away at a high rate of speed, police said. 

After halting traffic in the southbound lanes, the Seymour Police Department deployed stop sticks near Exit 21. But Plesz drove over the stop sticks and continued driving at about 60 mph after both right tires were destroyed, police said. 

Police said that several attempts were made to stop Plesz during the pursuit, but he continued to maneuver his truck around police cruisers while driving at a high rate of speed. 

At one point he moved his truck to intentionally strike a cruiser that was positioned in the left lane with its lights and sirens activated, police said. He also intentionally struck the rear of a cruiser that was traveling in front of him, according to police.

State Troopers said they were able to finally stop Plesz just north of Exit 38 in Thomaston. 

He was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer, driving the wrong way on a divided highway, interfering with an officer and reckless endangerment. He was held on $25,000 bond, police said. 

Plesz was due in court Wednesday. 

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