Month: April 2023

On 04/01/2023 at approximately 1:05 AM, a Trooper assigned to Troop G in Bridgeport observed a silver Kia Optima displaying a Tennessee registration traveling at a high rate of speed and in an erratic manner on Route 8 northbound in the area of Exit 5 in Bridgeport. A traffic stop was initiated and the operator of the Kia was identified as Luis F. Santiago, DOB 04/29/1991, of Bridgeport. While interacting with Santiago, troopers observed that he was exhibiting signs of possible impairment and Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were administered, which were not performed to standard. During a subsequent search, a loaded 9mm Ruger SR9 handgun with an altered serial number was located inside of the vehicle operated by Santiago. Based upon the on-scene investigation, Santiago was taken into custody and transported to Troop G, where he was processed and charged with the following:

C.G.S. 14-222, Reckless Driving

C.G.S. 14-227(a), Operating Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol

C.G.S. 29-38 Illegal Possession of Weapons in a Motor Vehicle

C.G.S. 29-38, Illegal Altering of a Firearm

C.G.S. 53a-217, Criminal Possession of a Firearm

Santiago was later released on a $75,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment at Bridgeport Superior Court on 05/01/2023.

In Bridgeport, a local man was sentenced to two years in prison for causing the death of an elderly woman from Prospect while racing on a city street. During the court hearing on Friday, 21-year-old Rolando Solano apologized to the victim’s family and expressed remorse for his actions. The judge acknowledged his apology but reminded Solano that only he knows how sincere he truly is. The judge then sentenced Solano to 10 years, with two years in prison and five years of probation after his release.

The incident occurred on October 14, 2020, when the victim, 79-year-old Sydell Kugell, and her husband were on their way home after visiting a relative at a nursing home. Solano was driving at nearly 100 mph in a 30-mph zone when he struck their car, causing severe injuries to both victims. The couple had to be cut out of their car, and Sydell Kugell was screaming for help. Three occupants of Solano’s car were walking around the scene, and one of them was overheard complaining about losing the race.

Assistant State’s Attorney Peter Cunniff argued for a five-year prison term, citing the severity of Solano’s conduct and the tragedy he caused. Louis Kugell, the victim’s husband, also spoke in court and expressed his pain and suffering from that day. Solano’s lawyer, William Gerace, requested leniency.