DUI Meriden Man Found Unconscious Behind Wheel: State Police

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden man is accused of operating under the influence of alcohol when he was found unconscious behind the wheel in a travel lane on Route 8 in Waterbury last month, according to Connecticut State Police.

Godwin Rutihinda, 43, was arrested Monday on a warrant in connection with the incident, according to police.

Police responded around 8:20 p.m. on Dec. 18 to a report of a 2017 Acura SUV stopped in a travel lane during dark, rainy weather, according to the arrest warrant.

The arriving state trooper found the Acura in the right travel lane of two on Route 8 South near the Exit 32 off-ramp, running with its right blinker on and its brake lights illuminated.

Police said the trooper tried to alert the driver by knocking on the window, but he didn’t wake up and the doors were locked. The trooper tried to break the window with their flashlight to enter the vehicle, according to police.

As the trooper was trying to break in, the Acura started traveling at a speed where it wasn’t clear if the driver was fleeing or if he was still unconscious and his foot slipped off the brake, according to the warrant.

Police said the Acura then crossed over into the left lane, and several vehicles had to brake and swerve to avoid a collision. The Acura came to a stop, and the trooper parked in front of the Acura to stop it from moving.

The trooper believed the driver was still unconscious, according to police.

The driver, later identified as Rutihinda, appeared disoriented when he woke up, according to the warrant. Police also said that Rutihinda communicated through American Sign Language.

Another trooper arrived at the scene, and police were able to enter the SUV and put it in park, and turn off the ignition.

Police said they could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Rutihinda and found half empty bottles of alcohol, and an empty whiskey nip in the vehicle.

“Due to his perceived deafness and high level of intoxication, communication was difficult, and his behavior was uncooperative,” the warrant states.

Rutihinda was evaluated in the back of an ambulance and a female EMT reported that he was trying to grope her while she was trying to perform her medical duties, according to the warrant.

Rutihinda was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Police said he was sedated there due to his “behavior and lack of cooperation.”

Rutihinda was arrested on charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol / drugs, failure to maintain lane - limited access highway, improper turn / stop-no signal, unsafe movement of stopped, standing or parked vehicle, improper parking, failure to display lights, and second-degree reckless endangerment.

He was released after posting a $10,000 bond with a court date of Feb. 13.