Two men were arrested after a violent incident on Route 8

Two men are facing charges in connection with a hit-and-run incident that occurred last week on Route 8 in Litchfield, state police said.

According to Connecticut State Police, troopers assigned to Troop L in Litchfield responded to Route 8 North in the area of ​​Exit 41 at approximately 12:09 p.m. on May 3 for a reported disturbance.

The caller said there was an altercation in the middle of the highway between the driver of a Ford Explorer, who allegedly pepper-sprayed a person in a second vehicle. The caller produced the Explorer’s Massachusetts license plate, state police said.

According to State Police, a responding trooper located the reported Explorer traveling on Route 8 North north of Exit 42. The officer initiated a vehicle stop and the driver was identified as 48-year-old Howard Vazquez of Torrington.

“Due to the nature of the allegations and for safety reasons, Vazquez was held in handcuffs at the scene during the investigation,” state police said.

Vazquez told troopers that he was traveling on Route 8 North near Exit 37 when he allegedly saw a vehicle, later identified as a Chevy Impala, driving erratically and changing lanes frequently. According to state police, Vazquez said he activated his vehicle’s hazard lights and flashing amber lights, drove alongside the Impala and yelled at the other driver to slow down.

Vazquez claimed the passenger of the Impala threw water at him, state police said. Vazquez told officers he pulled in front of the Impala and stopped in the left lane. As he exited the Explorer, he claimed he was confronted by the passenger in the front seat, who allegedly punched him in the face. In response, Velazquez said he sprayed the passenger with pepper spray and continued north on Route 8, according to state police.

According to state police, Vazquez’s shirt and pants appeared to be damp. Additionally, officers allegedly recovered a pepper spray device that was later used as evidence in the investigation.

Officers then met at another location with the driver of the Impala and his passenger, identified as 25-year-old Jordan Millette of Waterbury. Both the driver and Millette claimed the Explorer was driving erratically, intentionally braking quickly and preventing the Impala from passing, state police said. According to state police, Millette allegedly admitted to throwing water at the Explorer, which hit the driver.

Both the Impala driver and Millette told troopers that the driver of the Explorer, which was allegedly stopped in the left lane, exited his vehicle, approached the Impala and sprayed both the driver and Millette with pepper spray before returning to his vehicle and fled the scene of the accident.

Millette also allegedly told troopers that he tried to attack the driver of the Explorer, but because of his irritated eyes he wasn’t sure if he had touched him, state police said.

Harwinton EMS is investigating Millette, who refused transport to an area hospital, according to state police. Based on information gathered during the investigation, both Vazquez and Millette were arrested, state police said.

Millette was charged with second-degree breach of peace and third-degree assault.

Vazquez was charged with second-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree reckless endangerment and reckless driving.

Vazquez and Millette were both later released on $2,500 bail and are scheduled to be arraigned in Torrington Superior Court on May 17, according to state police.