On July 27 around 5:50pm, CT State Troopers at Troop G dispatch began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting an active assault occurring within a Jeep traveling on I-95 northbound in the area of Exit 5 in Greenwich.
CSP said callers explained that a male passenger in the Jeep was observed striking the driver of the vehicle, who was yelling to passing motorists that they needed help.
The Jeep continued traveling northbound on I-95 and eventually pulled over to the right shoulder, prior to Exit 10 in Darien.
Troop G dispatch personnel confirmed the location of the Jeep using CT D.O.T. traffic cameras and observed a white male exit the Jeep, open the driver’s side door and reach into the vehicle. Dispatch personnel then observed a second vehicle pull over into the shoulder and a male passenger exit the vehicle. The male from the second vehicle was observed briefly speaking to the accused male as troopers began arriving at the scene.
One of the witnesses to the incident explained that they had observed the accused male strike the driver of the Jeep, and that the driver was visibly bleeding. The witness further explained that the accused male briefly walked away from the driver’s side door of the Jeep, at which time the Jeep’s operator locked the vehicle’s doors.
According to the witness, the accused male unsuccessfully attempted to open the driver’s door again just before troopers arrived at the scene.
Troopers arrived to find the accused male standing at the driver’s side door of the Jeep. He told troopers that the driver of the Jeep was bleeding and that a verbal argument had occurred between him and the driver prior to their pulling over.
Upon approaching the driver of the Jeep, troopers observed facial bleeding.
A small child was observed seated in the rear portion of the vehicle. No injuries to the child were observed.
When asked, the driver of the Jeep alleged that the accused male passenger had caused their injuries by intentionally striking them in the face.
During the investigation, troopers determined that the circumstances met the legal criteria for domestic violence.
EMS responded to the scene and transported the driver of the Jeep and the small child to an area hospital.
Based upon information obtained during the on-scene investigation, the suspect identified as Michael Arciuolo, 44, of White Plains, New York, was taken into custody. He was transported to Troop G in Bridgeport, where he was processed and charged with the following:
C.G.S. 53a-60, Assault in the 2nd Degree
C.G.S. 53a-63, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree (2 counts)
C.G.S. 53-21, Risk of Injury to Child
Arciuolo was held on a $25,000 cash/surety bond and was transferred to Bridgeport Correctional Center pending his scheduled arraignment at Stamford Superior Court, on 07/28/2023.
“Thanks to fellow motorists who took action by immediately reporting their observations to 911, State Police were able to quickly respond and reduce the risk of serious injury to the victims and other members of the public,” CSP said in a release.