Troopers shut down Route 8 in Litchfield to stop wrong-way driver

Darnell Tomlin (Source: Connecticut State Police)

LITCHFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Waterbury man faces several charges — including illegal possession of explosives, driving under the influence and selling drugs — after driving the wrong way this weekend on Route 8, according to police. ‘State.

Officers first heard at 2:20 a.m. Saturday that a Kia Optima was driving the wrong way on Route 8 South near Exit 40 in Litchfield, according to Connecticut State Police. The highway was temporarily closed near exit 42 until it was shut down.

Darnell Tomlin, 40, failed a field sobriety test and had narcotics, alcohol and fireworks in the car, according to state police.

He was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, driving the wrong way on a divided highway, using drug paraphernalia, selling of a narcotic substance, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition, and reckless endangerment in the first degree.

He was released on $50,000 cash bail.