State Trooper Charged In Halloween DUI Crash In Southington: Police

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A state trooper was taken into custody by Southington police and accused of driving a state police cruiser drunk and crashing it on Halloween night in town.

According to the Southington Police Department, Trooper Jacob Drechsler, 24, was charged Sunday with carrying a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, reckless driving, failure to drive in the proper lane, and evading responsibility of injury/property damage.

Police said Drechsler turned himself in to Southington PD headquarters Sunday for a warrant that had been issued for his arrest.

Drechsler was processed and released after posting a court-set $25,000 bond. He will appear in New Britain Superior Court on Dec. 29.

According to the SPD, at about 10:39 p.m. on Oct. 31, officers were called to a single-car motor vehicle collision in the area of 1205 Flanders Road involving an off-duty State Police cruiser.

"This vehicle was traveling north on Flanders Road when the vehicle left the roadway, struck two mailboxes and a fire hydrant before becoming disabled," wrote the SPD in a release.

Police said Drechsler was found to be the operator and sole occupant of this vehicle.

Drechsler was transported to New Britain Hospital for treatment of injuries after this collision.

The SPD said officers on scene noticed that Drechsler appeared to be showing signs of intoxication.

As a result, a search warrant was completed to obtain medical records for Drechsler that showed he had an elevated blood alcohol level.