Driver Facing DUI, 'Move Over' Violations, For Incidents In Farmington, Plainville

FARMINGTON, CT — A driver was arrested for drunken driving and violating the state's "move over law," after incidents that began in Farmington and ended in Plainville, state police said.

On Wednesday, at approximately 12:55 a.m., a state trooper was clearing a traffic stop along the right shoulder of Interstate 84 westbound near exit 37 in Farmington, and was passed by a Volkswagen sedan that was in the right lane of three, according to an incident report. The VW never slowed down or moved over, according to an incident report.

Though the previously stopped motorist had left, the trooper's cruiser still had its emergency lights activated at the time, state police said.

The trooper caught up to the VW and, upon approaching an active construction zone in the area of Exit 36, observed the driver failing to maintain the proper lane, according to an incident report.

The trooper initiated a traffic stop, and the driver reduced speed but failed to stop and continued to travel through the active construction zone, which had both the right and center lanes closed, according to an incident report.

Once through the construction pattern, the driver merged onto Route 72 west in Plainville, took Exit 4 and ultimately came to a stop past a four-way intersection, according to an incident report. When the trooper made contact with the driver the "distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage" was "coming from within the vehicle," according to an incident report. The driver was also exhibiting "clear signs of impairment," including red, glossy eyes, according to an incident report.

The driver, identified as 23-year-old Plainville resident Benjamin Sweezey, then failed sobriety tests and said he failed to stop for state police because of "speeding vehicles," according to an incident report. Sweezey was arrested, transported to Troop H in Hartford, and charged with:

• Disobeying the signal of an officer
• Illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/srugs in a construction zone (second offense)
• Failure to maintain the proper lane in a construction zone
• Failure to slow down/move over for an emergency vehicle

Chemical testing conducted at Troop H revealed that Sweezey had a blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit, state police said.

Sweezey was later released from custody on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Aug. 8, records show.