27 'Laughing Gas' Canisters, Unresponsive Driver Behind Wheel Of Car Stopped On Sidewalk: Police

RYE, NY — A Connecticut man has been arrested after police found him unresponsive behind the wheel of a car stopped on the sidewalk.

On Monday, at 5:25 p.m., a City of Rye Police Department officer spotted a running vehicle stopped on the sidewalk of Forest Avenue, near the intersection of Beck Avenue.

The driver was unresponsive in the driver seat, according to police. Robert Thornton Haile was identified as the driver and sole occupant. Haile eventually acknowledged the officer and exited his vehicle.

Officers gave the Connecticut man Standardized Field Sobriety Tests which he failed, according to police reports. Haile was arrested and taken to Rye Police Headquarters where he refused to submit to chemical a test, cops said.

During an inventory of Haile’s vehicle, 27 canisters of nitrous oxide were recovered, according to the department.

The 47-year-old Norwalk man was charged with driving while impaired by drugs, as well as traffic violations. Haile was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the City of Rye Court on Jan. 6.