Sobriety Checkpoint—

Two Motorists Charged With DUI; Numerous Drivers Warned

During a sobriety checkpoint held on the night of Saturday, August 14, and early morning hours of Sunday, August 15, police checked approximately 650 motorists who drove through the traffic enforcement zone near Hawley School on Church Hill Road, arresting two people on charges of driving under the influence.

Also, police arrested one driver for driving with a suspended license.

Police additionally issued infractions for: failure to wear a seatbelt, driving an unregistered vehicle, making a restricted turn, and for a vehicle passenger restriction.

Besides those violations, police said they issued 51 warnings to drivers for various automotive equipment violations.

At about 11:38 pm on August 14, police said they stopped motorist Jessica Johns, 32, of Waterbury at the checkpoint, after which they determined that she was intoxicated.

Police said they charged Johns with driving under the influence, after which they released her on $30 bail for an August 27 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

Also, police said they transferred Johns into the custody of Waterbury police who held a pending arrest warrant against her.

At about 1:58 am on August 15, police said they stopped motorist Arber Hasa, 26, of Oakville at the checkpoint, after which an investigation determined that he was intoxicated.

Police said they charged Hasa with driving under the influence. Hasa was released on $60 bail for an August 27 court appearance.

Police also report that at 10:48 pm on August 14, they stopped motorist Timothy Richard 25, of 58 Hucko Trail at the checkpoint, noting that Richard was not wearing a seatbelt.

After investigating, police charged Richard with failure to wear a seatbelt, driving an unregistered vehicle, and driving with a suspended license.

Richard was released on a written promise to appear in court on August 31.

At such checkpoints, all motorists driving in both directions are stopped and briefly interviewed to detect those who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Motorists determined to be intoxicated are arrested and booked on charges at the police station.

Police conduct the checkpoints to reduce the number of alcohol/drug-related motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Grant funds provided by the Federal Highway Safety Program cover 75 percent of the police overtime costs stemming from sobriety checkpoints.