A man in Newton is believed to have been under the influence of drugs behind the wheel, according to police in Trumbull. Connecticut authorities have filed a DUI charge against the man, but he has since been released on bond. No court date has been announced, and it is unclear whether the man has retained defense counsel at this time.
According to the report, police were called to the area of Daniels Farm Road after being told that a driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. Before police arrived, the witness called back to say the man had woken up and driven away. Police eventually tracked the 38-year-old man down and spoke with him. They described him as being confused, unsteady on his feet and nervous. He also apparently had dried blood on his arm, which police say is consistent with intravenous needle use.
Police searched the man’s vehicle and said they found a used syringe as well as empty wax folds police say are often used to package heroin. They did not mention whether heroin was found in the vehicle. The man reportedly failed a roadside sobriety test and refused to provide a urine sample. He also reportedly fell asleep several times while being booked and vomited once. He refused medical treatment.
The man now faces a DUI charge that could see his license revoked. However, Connecticut authorities will have to prove he was intoxicated behind the wheel if a conviction is to be made. In the meantime, his criminal defense attorney will carefully review the circumstances of his arrest to ensure his rights were respected throughout the process. If police failed to conduct their arrest within those boundaries, the case might be thrown out entirely.