NAUGATUCK — Police arrested a Waterbury woman Friday night after they say she led officers on a low-speed chase, ran over an officer’s foot and crashed into a police cruiser.
Police said a driver flagged down an officer at the intersection of Maple Street and South Main Street at about 7 p.m. The driver told the officer he was following Misha Flores, 27, of Waterbury, and she was driving erratically and possibly driving under the influence. The driver was concerned Flores, who was driving a red Lexus, was going to hurt someone, police said.
The officer followed Flores as she drove over the Salem Bridge. Police said the car crossed the center median and nearly collided with an oncoming car. The officer attempted to pull Flores over, but she kept driving. Police said Flores was swerving in and out of her lane and driving at about 15 to 30 mph.
Flores turned onto Cherry Street and eventually onto Old Firehouse Road where the car briefly stopped at the intersection of Maple Street. Officer John Jullian approached the car at this time, but Flores sped up, hitting Jullian and running over his foot, police said.
The car then nearly hit another car as it turned right onto Church Street. Flores continued driving on the wrong side of the road, police said. The car went past the intersection of Church and Division streets and collided with another Naugatuck police cruiser driven by Sgt. Derek Vostinak.
Police then took Flores into custody. She was charged with operating the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, two counts of assault on an officer and two counts of interfering with an officer.
She was also charged with numerous motor vehicle violations.
Julian and Vostinak were not seriously injured. They were examined by EMS at the scene and did not require further medical attention, police said.
Church Street near Division Street was closed for several hours as police investigated.
