Newington Man Drove Drunk The Wrong Way In Wethersfield: Police

WETHERSFIELD/NEWINGTON, CT — A Newington man has been charged with driving drunk and going the wrong way on Interstate 91 in Wethersfield early Monday morning.

Connecticut State Police Monday afternoon said Aaron Miranda, 39, of Newington, was charged with reckless driving; illegal ooperation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs; failure to drive on the right side of the road; driving the wrong way on a divided highway; illegal entry onto a limited-access highway; and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Police said Miranda was held on $10,000 bond and was scheduled to appear at New Britain Superior Court Monday, March 31.

According to a release by state police, at about 12:51 a.m., Troop H-Hartford dispatch received a total of 11 911 calls reporting a black sedan traveling the wrong way on Route 5/15 south and I-91 north.

Police said callers reported last seeing the wrong-way driver on Interstate 91 north in the area of Exit 27.

A trooper quickly responded to the area near Exit 26, where they located a black Nissan Maxima traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Great Meadow Road in Wethersfield, according to police.

The vehicle, police said, matched the description provided by callers.

The driver gradually corrected the vehicle's direction, at which point the trooper initiated a traffic stop and safely brought the vehicle to a stop.

Upon approaching the vehicle, police said the trooper made contact with the driver, who was identified as Miranda.

Police said, during the interaction, the trooper observed several signs of impairment, including a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle and the driver's eyes appearing red and glossy.

Miranda also admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving, police said.

As a result, Miranda was asked to perform a field sobriety test, which he failed, police said.

He was transported to Troop H for processing for operating under the influence, among other charges

Miranda submitted to a chemical breath test, which revealed his blood alcohol content (BAC) was more than twice the legal limit, police said.

For more information and the full announcement, click on this link.