Driver On Downers Charged In Connection With Mansfield Crash: Warrant

MANSFIELD, CT — A 20-year-old driver who later tested positive for a "downer" drug is facing criminal charges for his involvement in an October crash in Mansfield.

The West Hartford resident was served a warrant on Dec. 2 charging him with driving under the influence, unsafe passing, a lane violation, a traffic signal violation and interfering with police. He posted a $5,000 bond and is expected in Rockville Superior Court on Dec. 17, according to state police.

The crash took place at about 9 a.m. on Oct. 25, records show.

According to a warrant, state police located a red Honda CR-V crashed on the shoulder of Middle Turnpike, about 30 feet west of the Stafford Road intersection. It had collided with both an electrical box and a black Jeep Compass being driven by a 78-year-old woman. The woman told troopers that she had proceeded through a green light and was suddenly hit on the passenger side by the Honda, a claim backed up by dash cam footage supplied by a witness, according to a warrant.

The footage showed the Honda running a red light at a high rate of speed, according to a warrant.

No serious injuries were reported, but the driver of the Honda was still in the vehicle and the driver not only refused to identify himself, but was muttering gibberish, according to a warrant. He told state police the situation was a "stalemate" when he refused to cooperate and state police eventually punctured the Honda's airbag and helped him out of the vehicle, according to a warrant.

He then tried to break loose from state police, while displaying symptoms that he was on drugs the entire time, according to a warrant.

The 20-year-old was eventually taken to Windham hospital and blood tests came back positive for benzodiazepines, commonly known as "downers," state police said in a warrant.

according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures. The most common benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs Valium, Xanax, Halcion, Ativan and Klonopin, according to the DEA.

The driver also displayed "erratic behavior" at the hospital, state police said.

State police applied first for a warrant for the blood test results and then for the arrest of the driver.