New Details Released After Car Crashes Into Bank In East Haven

EAST HAVEN, CT — A New Haven man, Anthony Smith, of 32, of Jackson Lane, is accused of crashing his vehicle into the Bank of America building at 170 Main Street Wednesday morning, said Police Lt. Joseph M. Murgo.

The crash occurred at 11:34 a.m. Smith was taken to the hospital suffering minor injuries, police said. The extent of the damage to the bank building is still being reviewed by the Building Inspector. No one inside the bank at the time of the crash was injured.

Police said just before the accident, officers responded to a Pond Street residence for a report of a woman who was assaulted at her place of business during a domestic dispute. Police said they were told that the accused fled in a Honda Accord.

While driving along Hemingway Avenue police said they saw a vehicle matching the description of the accused's driving recklessly.

Officers John Fraenza and Gregory Borer turned around and drove northbound after the vehicle and witnessed it continuing to drive recklessly before losing control in the area of Hemingway Avenue and Main Street, police said.

The vehicle struck the Bank of America building, which was occupied at the time, police said. Nobody inside the bank sustained any injuries, police said.

The driver of the car, Smith, is charged with disorderly conduct and disobeying the signal of an officer. No other details were released.