MARLBOROUGH, CT (WFSB) – A man gave state police a different name when he was pulled over for driving violations in Marlborough.

Troopers charged 35-year-old Brian Mazzella of Waterford with reckless driving, failure to maintain a proper lane, felony identity theft and obstructing a police officer.

The incident began at around 10.30pm on Thursday.

A trooper followed a speeding driver on Route 2 east in Marlborough. The driver was clocked going 88 mph in a 65 mph zone, according to state police.

As the trooper attempted to catch up to the driver, the trooper approached another vehicle traveling in the right lane.

As the trooper attempted to pass this vehicle in an attempt to locate the previously clocked vehicle, the driver of this vehicle suddenly swerved into the left lane in front of the trooper and braked. State police said that prompted the trooper to brake quickly to avoid a collision.

The squad’s attention then shifted to the new vehicle. Emergency lights were activated for a traffic stop.

The driver of the new vehicle drove over to the right shoulder, police said.

When the trooper made contact with the driver, the driver apologized and explained that his actions were because he thought the trooper’s high beams were on and that he did not realize it was a state police cruiser trying to pass him.

State police said the trooper explained to the operator that such a deliberate maneuver was reckless in nature, so the driver’s license was requested.

The driver claimed he did not have his license on him and gave his name and date of birth. State police said the trooper ran the name and date of birth, which showed a Department of Motor Vehicles photo of his likeness. The squad also saw that the license that came back to the name and date of birth was blocked.

When the trooper confronted the driver about the suspended license, police learned the driver had given the name and birthday of a family member to avoid getting in trouble.

State police said he believed he was the subject of an active warrant for his arrest.

The driver was positively identified as Mazzella. However, there were no active warrants for his arrest, state police said.

Mazzella was arrested for the driving violations.

He was released from custody on a $5,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court on November 15.

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