NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTIC Radio)_ Connecticut State Police arrest a man who allegedly attacked the driver of a tractor-trailer on I-95 in New Haven and carjacked it on Tuesday.
Police say Frank Montes-Rivera, 50, began to run across I-95 Southbound in the area of Exit 46 in New Haven around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Montes-Rivera allegedly assaulted the driver of the tractor-trailer with a metal thermos and pushing him out of the truck and onto the highway.
Even though Police say he did not know how to drive the truck, Montes-Rivera began to drive the truck and struck 10 cars in traffic before stopping against a guardrail off the right shoulder.
A State Trooper approached Montes-Rivera from the passenger
side of the trailer and attempted to speak with him.
Montes-Rivera lunged at the Trooper, at which time the Trooper deployed his Taser, causing Montes-Rivera to be removed from the driver side of the tractor onto the highway.
State's Attorney Inspector Herbert Johnson went to help the trooper, but ended up in a fight with Montes-River, who tried to disarm Inspector Johnson by breaking the Inspector's holster.
Inspector Johnson was able to release Montes-Rivera’s hand from his firearm.
Montes-Rivera was placed under arrest and transported to a local hospital. Inspector Johnson and the operator of the tractor-trailer sustained minor injuries.
Police charged Montes-Rivera with robbery by carjacking, interfering with an office, assault on public safety, second-degree breach of peace, disorderly conduct, second-degree assault, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Montes-Rivera was given a $100,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
