Massachusetts woman blames GPS for driving wrong way on highway, released on bond

A Massachusetts woman is facing several charges after reportedly driving the wrong way on the highway.

According to State Police, at approximately 2:15 a.m., Troop H Dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a red Hyundai SUV driving the wrong way on Route 5/15 and then onto I-84 in the City of Hartford, Connecticut. Callers reported that the vehicle was first driving north in the southbound lanes of RT 5/15, then east in the westbound lanes of I-84.

Multiple Troopers responded to the area, however the vehicle appeared to have exited the highway, or self-corrected and was driving the correct way. As Troopers canvassed the area of I-384 in Manchester, a vehicle matching the description given was observed driving at an extremely low rate of speed in the right shoulder before coming to a stop in the area of exit 4.

Troopers made contact with the operator, who was identified as 24-year-old Nyasia Battle of Springfield, MA. Battle explained that she was not from Connecticut and was following the GPS on her phone, coming from Hartford and going to a residence also in Hartford. Battle continued to explain that the roadways in Connecticut are confusing and have many potholes. Battle had slurred speech, and a strong odor associated with an alcoholic beverage was emanating from her. Troopers also observed the front passenger side tire to be flat, along with a large amount of mud on the side of the vehicle indicating it went off the roadway at some point.

It was confirmed on scene that the vehicle was the vehicle that had been driving the wrong way on multiple other highways prior to stopping on I-384. Based on Troopers suspicion that Battle was under the influence, she was requested to perform the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which she did not perform to standard. Battle was arrested without incident and transported to Troop H for processing.

Battle was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs, Reckless Driving, and Driving the Wrong Way on a Limited Access Highway.

Battle was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Manchester Superior Court on March 17, 2025.