Friend Of Driver Barges Into Coventry DUI Crash Scene, Manchester Pair Charged

COVENTRY, CT — A pair from Manchester is facing several charges after police in Coventry located drugs and a gun during a drunken driving investigation interrupted by a friend of the driver, a report indicates.

On Thursday, Coventry police received a report of an evading motor vehicle accident on
Boston Turnpike near Twin Hills Drive, according to an incident report. A large SUV struck a vehicle from behind then fled the scene, police added.

While officers were responding to the area, additional 911 calls were being received that the same vehicle had struck another vehicle near Swamp Road, then traveled down Swamp Road before striking a mailbox and utility pole, according to an incident report.

Officers arrived at the crash location and the operator, Aida Vazquez, was given field sobriety tests and was taken into custody on suspicion of drunken driving, according to an incident report. During the investigation, Jose Ayala arrived on scene and claimed to be a relative of Vasquez while trying to intervene and he was arrested, according to an incident report.

Officers then discovered a loaded firearm and a "large quantity of narcotics" in his vehicle, according to an incident report.

Vazquez, 37, of Manchester, was charged with:

• Second-degree reckless endangerment
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Driving under the influence
• Evading responsibility — causing Injury
• Evading Responsibility
• Following Too closely

Ayala, also 37 and also of Manchester, was charged with:

• Interfering with police
• Drug possession with the intent to sell
• Leaving a gun unattended in a motor vehicle