MONROE, CT — A garbage truck driver fell asleep at the wheel, causing a four-vehicle-crash on Main Street that hospitalized two people, including an eight-year-old boy, Monday morning, according to police.
At approximately 8:11 a.m., police said the driver told officers he was heading south when he dozed off and slammed into the back of a 2014 Chevy Silverado in the 230-block of Main Street (Route 25).
The impact reportedly pushed the pickup truck into the back of a 2018 Chevy Equinox, which veered to the left, crossing over the northbound lane before coming to a stop in the driveway of Sippin Energy.
Police said the Silverado continued forward and struck a 2018 Dodge Ram pickup truck from behind.
Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service personnel responded to the accident and took a 69-year-old Monroe man, who drove the Silverado, to Bridgeport Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
The driver of the Chevy Equinox, a 31-year-old Danbury woman, was not injured, but her passenger, an eight-year-old boy, was taken to Bridgeport Hospital, police said.
A 33-year-old Cheshire man, who drove the Dodge Ram truck, was treated for injuries at the scene, but not taken to a hospital, according to the report.
Police said the garbage truck driver, a 45-year-old Georgia man, was not hurt. He was issued an infraction for following too closely.
DUI, 6 warrants
A 27-year-old Bridgeport man charged for allegedly driving under the influence on Main Street in Monroe Wednesday afternoon, was also arrested on six warrants for failure to appear in court on unrelated charges.
Police responding to the report of a Ford Transit Van being driven erratically in the area Route 59 and Hattertown Road at approximately 4:32 p.m., found the vehicle leaving the parking lot of Kindred Spirits & Wine, before heading south on Route 25, according to the report.
Police said the driver was unable to stay in his lane, while being followed by an officer, who initiated a traffic stop in the 180-block of Main Street.
The driver only spoke Spanish, so a Spanish speaking officer was called to the scene. Officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on him, but the man denied consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
However, field sobriety tests determined he was under the influence, leading to his arrest. Police said breath tests later showed his blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.
The driver was charged with DUI, operating a motor vehicle under suspension, operating without a license and failure to maintain the established lane. He was also arrested on six failure to appear in court warrants for prior incidents.
Police said he was unable to post bond and was taken to court on Thursday morning.
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