West Hartford Police Chase: Fatal Encounter on August 8, 2023
Location and Time:
The incident unfolded on New Britain Avenue in West Hartford, Connecticut, beginning around 5:00 p.m.
Initial Event:
West Hartford police identified a stolen Hyundai Elantra and attempted to stop it as it traveled east on New Britain Avenue.
Collisions: At the intersection of New Britain Avenue and South Street, the Hyundai collided with a silver BMW and then a blue Honda Pilot. The Hyundai became disabled after these collisions.
Suspects and Apprehension:
Two occupants, Lyle Solsbury and Mike Alexander-Garcia, exited the vehicle. Solsbury was quickly apprehended, but Alexander-Garcia fled on foot.
Attempted Carjacking:
Alexander-Garcia unsuccessfully attempted to carjack two vehicles as he headed east on New Britain Avenue. He then entered a Toyota RAV4 in one of the garage service bays at Town Fair Tire at 980 New Britain Avenue.
K-9 Officer Involvement:
West Hartford K-9 Officer Andrew Teeter, along with his K-9, entered the passenger side of the Toyota in an effort to apprehend Alexander-Garcia.
Escape and Confrontation:
Despite the presence of the K-9 and Officer Teeter, Alexander-Garcia managed to back out of the garage, hitting two vehicles, including the K-9 police vehicle. Officer Teeter fired multiple shots at Alexander-Garcia, hitting him in the torso as the Toyota continued to drive.
Crash and Aftermath:
The Toyota crashed into a utility pole near the intersection of New Britain Avenue and Shield Street. Alexander-Garcia was taken to Hartford Hospital and pronounced dead at 5:53 p.m.
Injuries: Officer Teeter sustained a broken rib and multiple head lacerations. There was no apparent injury to the K-9.
Investigation:
The incident led to a significant investigation, likely involving multiple agencies, to fully understand the sequence of events and the actions of all parties involved.
Community Impact:
Such a dramatic event would have likely had a substantial impact on the local community, raising questions about police procedures, safety, and crime prevention.
This report captures the key details of a highly dynamic and concerning incident involving multiple collisions, attempted carjacking, and a fatal shooting, all within a brief and intense timeframe. It illustrates the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in rapidly evolving situations.