Crime & Safety

Lethargy Leads to DUI Charge for Driver in New Canaan

A Stamford man was charged with driving under the influence in New Canaan as the result of a motor vehicle stop of an erratic driver, New Canaan police said this week.

According to Sgt. Carol Ogrinc, police received a call from a driver who passed along a vehicle description and plate number of a vehicle they said they were following who was driving erratically.

Dispatched officers spotted the vehicle in the area of Park Street near Elm Street and noted the vehicle had a defective taillights, Ogrinc said. A motor vehicle stop was conducted and Ogrinc identified the driver as Manuel Alberto, 33, of 101 Warren Street in Stamford.

While officers were speaking with Alberto to retrieve his license and registration, Ogrinc said they discovered him to be drowsy, lethargic and with slow speech. After conducting field sobriety tests, Alberto was taken into custody.

There was no alcohol present, Ogrinc said, but said there was a possibility Alberto was under the influence of prescription drugs.

He was charged with operating under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, failure to carry a license and having defective taillights. He posted a $250 bond and was issued a court date of Nov. 14, 2013.


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