Two men arrested after road rage in Litchfield: State Police

Two men are facing assault and other charges after state police say they were involved in a road rage incident on Route 8 in Litchfield.

According to state police, Howard Vazquez, 48, of Torrington, and Jordan Millette, 25, of Waterbury, were arrested following the May 3 incident.

State police said they received a call shortly after noon that day about a disturbance near Exit 41 on Route 8 North. The caller reported that there was an altercation in the middle of the highway between the driver of a Ford Explorer, who allegedly pepper-sprayed a person in another vehicle, according to state police.

Officers spotted the SUV, conducted a traffic stop and identified Vazquez as the driver. He was held in handcuffs during the investigation, state police said.

Vazquez told officers he was driving on Route 8 when he observed another vehicle driving erratically. According to state police, Vazquez said he turned on his hazard lights, pulled alongside the vehicle and yelled for the operator to slow down. He further stated that in response, a passenger in the vehicle, later identified as Millette, threw water at him, state police said.

Vazquez explained that he next pulled into the left lane, stopped and got out, whereupon he was confronted by Millette, according to state police. According to state police, Millette punched him in the face, then sprayed the man with pepper spray, Vazquez said.

State police next spoke with Millette and the driver of the other vehicle, who said Vazquez was driving erratically and prevented them from passing him. He admitted throwing water at Vazquez during those interactions, state police said.

However, they said Vazquez approached their vehicle and first used pepper spray before Millette tried to hit him, according to state police.

Vazquez was charged with second-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree breach of peace and reckless driving. Millette, who was a passenger at the time, was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace, state police said.