Crime & Safety

Police: Deputy Turns On Lights for Traffic Stop, Driver Flees, Reaches 105 mph

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office provided the following information. It does not indicate a conviction.

A 21-year-old Danbury man is facing several charges — including endangering the welfare of a child — following a recent arrest in Southeast.

According to a Nov. 28 press release from the , Deputy Johnathon Cihanek arrested Michael E. Neinstadt around 12:10 a.m. Wednesday. Officials say Cihanek observed Neinstadt commit a traffic violation on Argonne Road in Southeast. The deputy subsequently attempted to stop the defendant by turning on the patrol car's emergency lights.

Instead of stopping, Neinstadt sped up, police allege.

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"The driver then merged onto Route 22 without signaling and accelerated to a speed of 105 mph before merging onto the eastbound entrance ramp of Interstate 84," the release states. "At that point, the driver lost control of his vehicle and struck a guardrail, at which point the vehicle became disabled."

The defendant's 6-year-old son, who was later turned over to a legal custodian, was in the vehicle at the time, police say. Cihanek charged Neinstadt with three misdemeanors: endangering the welfare of a child, reckless driving and third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. 

Find out what's happening in Southeast-Brewsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officials processed the defendant at the Putnam County Correction Facility, where he awaited arraignment.


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