Drunk Driver Crashes Into Pole, House In Waterbury: PD

WATERBURY, CT — A city man is accused of driving drunk and smashing into a utility pole and then a house on Pearl Lake Road early Wednesday morning.

Jose Martinez, 30, of Waterbury, has been charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and traveling too fast for conditions, according to police.

Sgt. Joseph Morais said police were summoned around 1:45 a.m. this morning to Pearl Lake Road for a report of a single vehicle crash.

According to police, Martinez had been driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee when he lost control, hit the pole and then a home at 1021 Pearl Lake Rd.

The home was occupied at the time. However, neither Martinez nor the occupants were injured, police said. Martinez was alone in the Jeep.

The structure has been deemed to be still safe for occupancy. The utility pole sustained heavy damage and had to be serviced, according to police.

Police said Martinez failed field sobriety tests, and his blood alcohol concentration was determined to be at 0.23, above the legal limit of 0.08.

Martinez is due to appear in Superior Court in Waterbury today.