STAMFORD, CT (WFSB) – A man was charged with reckless driving and operating under the influence charges after he fled from a crash on the Merritt Parkway.
State police said they arrested Hugo Garcia, 20, of Stamford for the incident.
Troopers said they responded to the Route 15 north exit 35 ramp in Stamford on Monday around 3:20 a.m. for the reported crash.
When they arrived, they said they saw a white Dodge Challenger sedan with extensive damage to all sides of the vehicle. It was disabled and blocked the ramp.
A trooper spotted a man in the shoulder who was being treated by EMS personnel for injuries suffered in the crash. The person was identified as a passenger in the vehicle and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
A bystander at the scene reported to troopers that the driver had fled the scene on foot following the crash. The same bystander, who was not involved in the crash, reported to troopers that they pleaded with the driver not to drive because he appeared to be drunk.
The bystander contacted the driver by phone at the request of an investigating trooper, to which the driver complied and returned to the scene on foot.
State police identified the driver as Garcia at that point.
He immediately told state police that he was the one who crashed. He further explained to troopers that he had to leave the scene because he was drunk.
While speaking with Garcia, the investigating trooper smelled an odor alcoholic on him.
Garcia was arrested at around 3:40 a.m.
Investigators said they discovered alcohol containers, both empty and unopened, within the vehicle.
“The investigating trooper continued to interview Garcia while in custody seated in their cruiser, to which Garcia explained that he had spun out while operating at speeds in excess of 140 mph and believed he struck the guardrail,” state police said. “Garcia also explained that he believed he had consumed about a 12 pack of beer.”
Garcia failed a standardized breathalyzer test at the state police barracks in Bridgeport. He explained to state police at that point that he also used cocaine.
“Upon conducting an inventory of Garcia’s property, a small amount of suspected cocaine was located in Garcia’s wallet,” state police said.
Garcia was charged with reckless driving, evading responsibility with injury, operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, failure to maintain proper lane, and possession of a controlled substance.
He was later released on a $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court Nov. 15.
CREDIT: Eyewitnss News 3
