Police: Torrington driver failed to move over for troopers

Driver was clocked driving over 100 mph

LITCHFIELD — A driver who state police say sped by two troopers on the side of Route 8 Sunday without giving them space was minutes later was found to be driving more than 100 mph while impaired.

Jose Torres-Jimenez, 25, of Torrington, also lacked a driver’s license, according to State Police. Police said he only had an adult learner’s permit.

He was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, passing on the right and failure to move over or reduce speed for emergency vehicles, state police said. He was released on a promise to appear in state Superior Court in Torrington on Feb. 21.

According to state police, the incident happened about 2:45 a.m. Sunday, when two troopers were stopped on the right side of Route 8 northbound, near Exit 42. One trooper had pulled over to check on a disabled vehicle and the other was to the north, conducting a traffic stop. Both police cars had their emergency lights on.

The first trooper with the disabled car saw a blue Jeep Patriot approach at what state police said was “a high rate of speed in the right lane of two.” The Jeep stayed in the right lane instead of moving over to give the troopers some room under the state’s “Move Over” law, police said.

The trooper tried to catch up with the Jeep and saw it passing other cars in the right lane at speeds that topped 100 mph, state police said. The trooper was able to pull over the Jeep and saw that Torres-Jiminez “was exhibiting signs of possible impairment.”

He also failed a field sobriety test, police said.

Conn. State Police/Contributed photo Jose Torres-Jimenez of Torrington sped past troopers while impaired, state police say.