MONTVILLE, CONN. — Connecticut Inspector General Eliot Prescott released a report on Thursday finding that State Trooper Wilfred J. Blanchette IV's use of deadly force during a vehicle pursuit was not justified. Prescott declined to pursue criminal charges against Blanchette despite concluding the force was unwarranted.

The incident occurred on November 24, 2025, beginning at 11:35 p.m. on Route 2A in Montville, Connecticut. Trooper Blanchette engaged in a high-speed pursuit of a Honda Accord with two occupants—Jesus Santiago of Manchester and passenger Tyloine Reddick—that continued onto Interstate 395 north through Norwich and ended on Route 2 in Colchester.

During the pursuit, the Honda Accord reached speeds of 120 mph. Police deployed stop sticks, which blew out one tire of the vehicle. Trooper Blanchette believed the driver was impaired and that the car was likely stolen. He radioed his sergeant for permission to ram the vehicle before striking it from the rear, and video shows he received authorization to use a pursuit intervention technique (PIT maneuver). Blanchette struck the Accord three times, with the second impact occurring while traveling at 76 mph.

The vehicle eventually crashed into the center median. Santiago and Reddick were arrested but not injured in the crash. State police charged Santiago with first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, interfering with a police officer/resisting arrest, tampering with evidence, possession of a controlled substance, use of drug paraphernalia, failure to drive in the proper lane, driving without minimum insurance, improper use of markers, and driving an unregistered motor vehicle. Reddick was charged with interfering with a police officer/resisting arrest, tampering with evidence, possession of a controlled substance, sale of narcotics, and use of drug paraphernalia.

Inspector General Prescott determined that the intentional collisions constituted deadly force. He wrote in his report that Blanchette’s actions were not objectively reasonable as a whole and that it was not objectively reasonable for Blanchette to believe the Accord posed an imminent risk of death or serious physical injury to other motorists or the public at the time he used deadly physical force.

Prescott stated he was unaware of any prior criminal prosecutions in Connecticut against an officer for the unjustified use of deadly physical force by way of a forced stop procedure. He wrote that the lack of clearer guidance as to what prosecutors and judges will consider to be deadly physical force in this context militates against a prosecution in this case. Prescott added that he is confident the Connecticut State Police will decide what administrative sanctions should be imposed regarding this incident after considering the report and conducting an internal affairs investigation.

Following the incident, Blanchette was placed on administrative duty. The state police union issued a statement criticizing the investigation. Prescott suggested that the Police Officer Standards and Training Council and other law enforcement agencies consider making revisions and clarifications to pursuit policies.

Why It Matters

Prescott’s findings challenge the legal and policy framework surrounding high-speed police pursuits and the use of tactics like the PIT maneuver, which he classified as deadly force. His report highlights a gap in prosecutorial precedent and clear legal standards, suggesting systemic changes may be needed to guide officers and hold them accountable.

Santiago is being held on a $250,000 bond at the Corrigan Correctional Center and is scheduled to appear in Norwich Superior Court on July 22. Reddick is free on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear again in the same court on July 28.