Man told troopers he was driving over 130 mph because he was late for job interview, police say

CROMWELL, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - State police in Connecticut recently clocked a man driving 132 mph on Interstate 91 south in Cromwell.

The man reportedly told troopers he was speeding because he was late for a job interview.

State police said they were conducting speed enforcement on I-91 when they saw a Mercedes E300 speed by just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

The driver was spotted by a trooper in the area of exit 22.

“At this time, the trooper observed a Mercedes E300 traveling at a high rate of speed, faster than the flow of traffic,” state police said in their report. “The trooper estimated the Mercedes to be in excess of 100 mph, and its speed was later confirmed to be 132 mph by a speed laser unit.”

The trooper activated emergency lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop.

However, state police said the driver failed to stop, pulled away, made unsafe lane changes and weaved between traffic. He also engaged the trooper in a pursuit.

“Due to the hazard posed to the public, the trooper terminated attempts to stop the eluding vehicle,” state police said.

State police were able to contact the registered owner of the Mercedes. The owner said a family member was driving the vehicle during the time of the incident.

Troopers reportedly obtained a phone number for the suspected driver, who admitted to driving and “stated he did not stop because he was late for a job interview,” state police said.

The driver agreed to meet troopers at the state police barracks in Hartford.

The driver was reportedly charged with reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer, failure to maintain lane, passing on the right, improper turn, passing at an unsafe distance, engaging police in a pursuit, interfering with an officer and first-degree reckless endangerment.