Driver Arrested after Truck Hits Guardrail, Leaves I95 Near Exit 5

On Sunday around 4:30pm, Connecticut State Police responded to I95 in the area of exit 5 for Old Greenwich/Riverside on a report of a one-vehicle accident.

On scene, they learned from Greenwich Police that the accident occurred after a physical alteration between the box truck’s operator and two passengers.

According to the State Police, the truck was in the right lane on I95 south about 1/10 mile shy of the exit when the altercation caused the vehicle to collide with the metal guardrail in the right shoulder.

The truck was towed from the scene. Both the driver and occupants had minor injuries.

According to the State Police criminal information summary, the driver, who was determine to be the primary aggressor, was positively identified by his Florida driver’s license as Vilhomme Mondesir, 46, of Lake Worth, FL.

Since trees were removed along I95, Riverside residents have expressed concerns that a vehicle might leave the highway and land on East Putnam Ave. Fortunately, the truck stopped well short of Rte 1.

Update: According to additional narrative in a CSP press release, the two passengers in the vehicle explained that they were all coworkers.

The two passengers further explained that an argument began when Mondesir stopped at a shopping plaza after driving for several hours.

According to the passengers, Mondesir left the vehicle briefly to purchase food and quickly returned to the vehicle, planning to leave immediately and continue driving.

The passengers further explained that when they asked Mondesir for some additional time for them to take a break, Mondesir allegedly began yelling that they did not need breaks and immediately began driving, entering I-95 southbound. As Mondesir was driving, the passengers explained that they told Mondesir that denying them breaks could cause Mondesir to lose his job. Mondesir allegedly continued yelling, struck one of the passengers in the face and an altercation began inside of the vehicle, as the second passenger attempted to intervene. While the altercation was occurring, the vehicle began to swerve from the right lane into the right shoulder before striking a metal beam guardrail and traveling down an embankment. Troopers observed that the passenger allegedly struck by Mondesir had visible injuries to his face. The second passenger and Mondesir reported minor injuries.      

Mr. Mondesir was arrested and charged with Assault 3, Reckless Endangerment 2 and Failure to Drive in Properer Lane (two counts).

His bond was set at $5,000 and he was assigned a date in Stamford Superior Court on May 13, 2024.