MONROE, CT — Police made four DUI arrests recently, stemming from motor vehicle accidents and erratic driving.
On June 20, officers responded to an accident involving a 2024 Chevy Silverado and a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan on Monroe Turnpike (Route 111), near Barn Hill Road, at approximately 2:19 p.m.
Their investigation determined the driver of the Chevy was at fault and while speaking with him, officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and noticed his eyes were bloodshot, droopy and his pupils were pinpoint, according to the report.
The driver, a 60-year-old Shelton man, told officers he wasn’t hurt and declined treatment from Emergency Medical Service personnel.
Police said he appeared confused when asked basic questions and admitted to taking prescription medication during the day. He was unable to successfully complete standardized field sobriety tests, according to police.
Breath tests at police headquarters revealed his blood alcohol level was over three times the legal limit, police said. He was charged with DUI and failure to maintain the proper lane, then released after posting seven percent of his $500 bond for a July 8 court date.
The other driver, a 67-year-old Monroe woman, was not injured and her vehicle sustained minor damage and was not towed, according to police.
DUI on Main Street
At approximately 8:40 p.m. on June 20, a police officer driving north on Main Street (Route 25) noticed a red 2007 Honda CRV in the southbound lane crossing over the center line as it approached, before nearly colliding with the vehicle in front of the officer, then reentering the south lane.
The officer made a U-turn, caught up with the Honda and pulled it over in the 200-block of Main Street. While speaking with the driver, police said the officer smelled the odor of alcoholic beverage on him and noticed his eyes were bloodshot and glossy, and that his movements were slow and delayed.
The driver, a 24-year-old Bridgeport man, admitted to drinking two beers and a three-quarter-full open beer bottle was visible on the floorboard of the passenger seat, police said, adding the man did not complete field sobriety tests to standard, leading to his arrest.
Breath tests at police headquarters showed his blood alcohol content was nearly two-and-a-half times the legal limit, according to police. He was charged with DUI and failure to maintain the proper lane, then released after posting seven percent of his $500 bond for a July 8 court date.
Crash leads to DUI
An OnStar alert notified police of a crash with airbag deployment on Cutlers Farm Road, south of Aspetuck Lane, at approximately 9:41 p.m. on June 17.
A police investigation determined a driver lost control of his 2022 GMC Sierra, struck guardrail on the right and continued along the guardrail for about 65 feet, before going over it and striking a tree.
The driver’s side door was open, the airbags were deployed and the driver was standing nearby when officers arrived, police said. The driver, a 44-year-old Monroe man, told officers he was driving too fast and lost control of his pickup truck. He was treated for injuries, but was not taken to a hospital.
Police said his eyes were glossy and he was slurring his words, adding officers noticed several empty packs of alcoholic beverages on the ground next to the truck. The driver did not perform field tests to standard, leading to his arrest, according to the report.
Police said he refused to submit to breath tests at headquarters. He was charged with DUI and failure to maintain the proper lane. He was released after posting seven percent of his $500 bond for a July 8 court date.
Driver blames music for DUI
At approximately 12:45 p.m. on June 16, a police officer drove behind a gray Nissan Rogue, while heading west on Old Tannery Road, when the Nissan crossed over the double yellow line into the lane of oncoming traffic, according to police.
The officer followed the Nissan onto Monroe Turnpike and Church Street, when the driver again made a wide turn and reportedly crossed over the double yellow line again. The officer conducted a traffic stop in the 80-block of Fan Hill Road.
Music was blaring inside the SUV and the driver couldn’t figure out how to turn it down, according to police, who said the officer had to assist her in shutting off the engine and turning off the music.
Police said the driver’s speech was slurred and her eyes were glossy, adding she blamed the music for her erratic driving. The officer could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver and, while trying to hand over her license, she dropped it between the seat and the door, according to police.
Police said she did not perform field sobriety tests to standard, was arrested and taken to headquarters, where she refused to submit to a breath test.
The driver, a 43-year-old Monroe woman, was charged with DUI and failure to maintain the proper lane. She was released after posting seven percent of her $500 bond for a June 25 court date.
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