Driver Crashes Into Gas Pumps in Danbury, Runs but is Quickly Arrested

According to a City of Danbury press release, on Sunday (11/10/24) a dramatic crash unfolded on Clapboard Ridge Road, where a car left the road, plowed into gas pumps, and caused quite a scene. The driver, who was behind the wheel of the single-car crash, didn’t stick around for the aftermath. Instead, he decided to take off on foot.

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Local authorities, including officers from the Danbury Police Department (DPD), responded quickly to the crash. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Gabriel Soares-DeSouza, was located and arrested just down the street shortly after fleeing the scene. Soares-DeSouza was briefly taken to the hospital for an evaluation of his injuries but was released from the ER shortly thereafter.

The crash, which involved a vehicle that had apparently lost control, prompted a full investigation. The DPD’s Traffic Division worked alongside patrol officers to gather evidence and piece together what had happened.

Soares-DeSouza now faces multiple charges, including operating a vehicle with a suspended license, reckless driving, speeding, evading responsibility, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. It’s a serious list of charges that reflect the chaotic nature of the crash and the driver’s actions afterward.

I was driving by after the incident and saw the wreckage. This car did some Jean-Claude Van Damage to that gas station. It was funny, there was a dude out there that appeared to be a gas station employee with measuring tape gathering information. From my vantage point I could see this car took at least three feet of decorative stone off of a support pole.

I love these dudes that take off on foot and leave their vehicle behind complete with license plates, registration and VIN but as they say, when you gotta go, you gotta go.

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