Two Motorists Charged With DUI At Sobriety Checkpoint

During a sobriety checkpoint held on Hawleyville Road on the night of July 15 and early morning hours of July 16, police arrested two motorists on charges of driving under the influence, as well issuing many violations for various other offenses.

Ten police officers and one supervisor participated in the checkpoint held on Hawleyville Road (Route 25), near its intersection with Covered Bridge Road. The site is just south of the Exit 9 interchange of Interstate 84.

During the checkpoint, which ran from 7 pm to 3 am, police stopped approximately 750 vehicles, after which they interviewed the drivers to learn whether the motorists had been using alcohol and/or drugs.

At about 10:26 pm, police stopped motorist Jay Collins, 38, of Danbury at the checkpoint, after which he failed field sobriety testing. Police charged Collins with driving under the influence. After posting $50 bail, police released Collins for an August 1 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

At about 10:30 pm, police stopped motorist James C. Howard, 49, of Brookfield at the checkpoint. After field sobriety testing, police charged him with driving under the influence. Howard was released on $100 bail for an August 1 court appearance.

Police said that at about 11:12 pm, they stopped driver Juan Cobos, 26, of Bethel during the checkpoint. Police said Cobos informed them that he did not have a driver’s license. Police charged Cobos with driving under suspension. Cobos was released on a written promise to appear in court on August 8.

During the checkpoint, police also lodged one charge of driving an unregistered motor vehicle, issued three infractions, and handed out 34 warnings for various offenses. Four vehicles were towed away from the scene, police said.

Three-quarters of the overtime costs stemming from such checkpoints are covered by public safety grant money, police said.

Police plan more sobriety checkpoints in the coming months.