After 30+ miles, one crash, troopers nab erratic I-89 driver

August 21, 2025  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

An erratic driver on Interstate 89 on Tuesday disrupted northbound traffic from Brookfield to Bolton before state police were able to stop him north of Waterbury. 

The incident began just after 1 p.m. when police received a report of the vehicle, which they located traveling north near Exit 5 in Brookfield, which is south of Northfield, according to the account by Trooper Matthew Helpard. 

State police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop. “Troopers deactivated emergency lights and continued to follow the vehicle at normal speeds,” the report details. “Troopers observed the vehicle operating erratically, tailgating and swerving.”

The steps follow state police policy regarding vehicle pursuits. Near Exit 9 in Middlesex, troopers again attempted to stop the vehicle, “but the vehicle failed to stop and continued on, operating erratically,” the report says. 

The vehicle passed Exit 10 in Waterbury and near mile marker 67 near the Waterbury/Bolton town line, it crashed into a trailer being towed by a pickup truck, police said. 

“The suspect vehicle continued on at a slow rate of speed. Troopers boxed it in, and the vehicle stopped without further incident,” the report said. 

The driver of the vehicle was 55-year-old James Karg of Sharon. His 2019 Hyundai Ioniq had moderate damage. Karg, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured, police said. 

The driver of the pickup was Tucker Weaver, 32, of Ferrisburgh, also was not injured. His Ford F-550 had minor damage, police said. 

Troopers arrested Karg and took him to the Berlin barracks, where he was issued a citation to appear in Washington Superior Court-Criminal Division on Sept. 5 to answer to several charges: driving under the influence, attempting to elude, and gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle, according to police.