UPDATE: Truck Driver Rescued After Collision With Stolen Vehicle In Chesterfield

11 p.m. update

A 31-year-old Old Saybrook man is accused of stealing a pickup truck and causing an accident in Chesterfield on Tuesday afternoon.

Paul F. Deckelman, of 97 Elm Street, was charged with first-degree larceny, interfering with an officer, and assault, according to The Bulletin. The Connecticut State Police say Deckelman led officers on a chase along I-95 before colliding with a propane truck at the intersection of Route 85 and Route 161, sending the propane truck into a nearby pond. Officers freed the driver of the propane truck and he is reported to be in stable condition after he was flown to Hartford Hospital.

According to state records, Deckelman was previously convicted of breach of peace in 2011 and failure to appear in court in 2012. In March, he received a suspended sentence after he was convicted of possession of narcotics and sixth-degree larceny.

7:30 p.m. update

Route 85 and Route 161 have been reopened following a car accident this afternoon, according to Connecticut State Police.

Original story:

Three police officers are being credited with saving a man's life after his truck was thrown into a Chesterfield pond following a collision with a stolen vehicle this afternoon.

Capt. Thomas Garbedian of the Connecticut State Police said two troopers and an East Lyme police officer were able to rescue the driver of an Osterman Propane truck after it plunged into the water. The accident occurred at the intersection of Route 85 and Route 161, and traffic is being detoured around the site.

Garbedian said troopers with Connecticut State Police Troop F began pursuing a stolen vehicle in Old Saybrook northbound along I-95. Troopers with Troop E joined the pursuit after it entered Troop E's coverage area.

Garbedian said the officers were able to cut the propane truck driver's seat belt to free him.

“They believe that they basically saved the propane truck driver’s life by getting him out of the water,” he said.

The driver was taken by Life Star to Hartford Hospital. The two occupants of the stolen vehicle were arrested and taken to Backus Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Garbedian said accident reconstruction personnel are en route to the scene. He said he did not know when the roadways will be reopened.

Correction: The article initially referred to the accident as occurring in Chesterville. The accident occurred in the Chesterfield neighborhood.