A New Haven man has been arrested for nearly causing a collision with a police cruiser on Route 8 south in Bridgeport, state police say.

The incident happened near the Prospect Street exit just before 11 p.m. Sunday.

Police say they saw Bryan Garcia driving behind a police cruiser at a high rate of speed, which forced a sergeant to veer to the right to avoid being hit.

Garcia was also allegedly driving over the 40 mph speed limit.

Once Garcia was pulled over, police say the sergeant noticed a gun in the glove box and that Garcia had his hand on the weapon while he looked for the vehicle's registration information.

Police say the sergeant took out his pistol and told Garcia to take his hand off the weapon and get out of the car.

Garcia had an active arrest warrant out of North Haven on unrelated charges and the pistol in the vehicle was loaded, according to authorities.

Garcia was charged with reckless driving and weapons in a motor vehicle.

He was released on bail and turned over to North Haven police