By Shawn Henry 
A Norwich man was arrested early Friday morning following a single-vehicle crash in Orange that police say occurred moments after the driver sped past a patrol cruiser.
The incident happened around 1 a.m. while an Orange police officer was on routine patrol along Route 34. Police said the officer observed a Dodge Challenger traveling south toward Derby at what appeared to be a high rate of speed as it passed the cruiser.
According to police, only seconds after the vehicle went by, the officer came upon the same car after it had left the roadway and crashed into a group of trees near the intersection of Route 34 and Walnut Hill Road. Investigators said the driver lost control of the vehicle before the crash.
Despite the severity suggested by the impact with the trees, police said no injuries were reported. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and no other cars were involved in the crash.
The driver was identified as Jabouin Kervens, 24, of Norwich. Police said he was taken into custody at the scene and later charged with reckless driving, speeding, and failure to maintain his lane.
Authorities did not release information about what may have caused the driver to lose control, aside from the alleged speed. Weather and road conditions were not cited as contributing factors, and police said the crash remains under review.
The damaged vehicle was removed from the scene, and the roadway was cleared shortly afterward. No property damage beyond the trees was reported.
Kervens is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Derby on Jan. 5, 2026, to answer to the charges. Police said the case will proceed through the court system, where the circumstances surrounding the crash and alleged driving behavior will be addressed.
Officials emphasized that incidents like this highlight the dangers of excessive speed, particularly during overnight hours when road conditions and visibility can increase risks for drivers.