Police Blotter: Hurricane-Related Accidents and Arrest Logs for Old Lyme and East Lyme

Though no one locally has been reported injured by the storm itself, Hurricane Sandy left many hazards in her wake. Felled trees and nonfunctioning traffic lights were among the biggest problems.

At about 5:30 p.m. yesterday, a man was injured while trying to clear a tree from his yard at 79 West Main Street in Niantic. The initial call to police reported that a tree fell on him but that was later revised. The injury was serious—emergency responders administered CPR, but at this time police have no further information on the accident.  

At least once accident was attributed to power being cut from traffic lights. Unfortunately, many people haven't been following the rule to treat a traffic light that isn't working as if it were a stop sign. On October 28 at Black Point Four Corners in Niantic, a car turning left from East Pattagansett onto Route 156 hit another vehicle that was traveling on Route 156. There were no reported injuries but the offending vehicle had to be towed from the scene.  

Police Log Troop F

On October 28, Karen M. Kopec, 55, of 7 Pickerel Cove, Old Lyme, was stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol while driving on Town Woods Road. Police charged her with DUI. Bond was set at $500.

On October 30, Brianne E. Desvergnes, 23, of 7 Bayberry Road, Apt. 1, Acton, Mass., was stopped by police on Halls Road in Old Lyme who noticed the driver had an open alcoholic beverage. Desvergnes was charged with drinking while driving.