Monroe man charged in bizarre crash

BRIDGEPORT -- Police said they arrested a Monroe man who struck a local woman with his car and kept driving as she frantically tried to get loose from his fender.

Frank Rega, 56, of Lovers Lane, Monroe, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, evading responsibility and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was released after posting a $500 bond.

According to police, on March 15 a 23-year-old city woman was standing outside a disabled car on Stratford Avenue when she was struck by a van driven by Rega.

Police said the woman became stuck on the driver's side fender of the van but Rega continued to drive off with her hanging over the front of the vehicle. They said the woman frantically yelled for Rega to stop but he ignored her. Even after she began hitting him in the face, police said Rega refused to stop.

Eventually, police said the woman fell off, striking her head in the roadway. Rega drove away, they said.

The woman was treated at St. Vincent's Medical Center for her injuries.

Later that day Monroe police confronted Rega at his home. They said Rega smelled strongly of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test.

Police said as they were handcuffing Rega he told them he had acted in self defense.

dtepfer@ctpost.com; 203-330-6308; http:// twitter.com/dantepfer