Wrong Way Driver Arrested for DUI in Willington, Connecticut

# Wrong-Way Driver Arrested for DUI on I-84 in Willington

Connecticut State Police arrested a Vernon man for driving under the influence after he drove the wrong way on Interstate 84 in Willington. The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning and has raised new concerns about impaired driving on Connecticut highways.

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Details of the Wrong-Way Driving Incident

Just before dawn on Sunday, Connecticut State Police got several urgent calls about a car heading the wrong way on Interstate 84 near the Willington-Tolland line. It was around 4:15 a.m., and multiple people dialed 911, worried about what could happen.

Emergency Response and Arrest

State troopers jumped into action to find the car and stop the chaos on I-84. They found David Alvarado, 29, from Vernon, sitting in his vehicle in the center median near exit 69 in Tolland.

His car was still pointed in the wrong direction when officers walked up. As they got closer, they picked up a strong smell of alcohol coming from inside.

Troopers gave Alvarado a field sobriety test, following their usual procedures. He didn’t pass, so they arrested him right there on the spot.

Charges and Legal Consequences

Alvarado now faces several serious charges, according to the police report. Here’s what he’s up against:

Illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol

Wrong-way driving

Second-degree reckless endangerment

Potential Impact on Highway Safety

Wrong-way driving like this has been a real problem lately, not just here but in places like Hartford, New Haven, Danbury, and Waterbury. More people seem to be calling in these scary situations, and it’s making everyone uneasy.

Safety experts from Manchester to Stamford keep saying that wrong-way crashes, especially when alcohol is involved, are among the most dangerous things that can happen on Connecticut roads. The risk of a head-on collision at high speeds? It’s just terrifying.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

After his arrest, Alvarado posted a $25,000 bond and walked out. He’s due in Rockville Superior Court on July 2 to answer for what happened.

Regional Context and Prevention Efforts

This arrest comes as communities across Connecticut, from Bridgeport to Greenwich, have started rolling out tougher measures to combat impaired and dangerous driving.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation works with local law enforcement in towns like Norwich and Torrington. They’re stepping up patrols and launching awareness campaigns about the dangers of driving under the influence.

State Police say wrong-way driving on highways like I-84, I-95, and I-91 keeps happening. Several similar incidents have popped up in Hartford County and Tolland County just in the last few months.

The Connecticut Highway Safety Office keeps stressing that impaired driving is one of the most preventable causes of highway fatalities. Public safety officials ask residents to use ride-sharing, pick a sober driver, or take public transportation when drinking.

Here is the source article for this story: Man busted for wrong way driving, DUI in Willington

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