A Connecticut woman was arrested after state police allege that she drove under the influence with three children in her vehicle after multiple 911 callers reported an erratic driver on Interstate 91 in Cromwell on Tuesday evening.
Troop H in Hartford received multiple 911 calls around 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday reporting a vehicle driving erratically as it traveled southbound on I-91 near Exit 24 in Wethersfield, according to the Connecticut State Police.
Troopers learned that the driver of the vehicle had pulled over onto the shoulder of I-91 near Exit 21 in Cromwell with no lights on, state police said. One of the 911 callers pulled over in front of the car to make sure it stopped, according to state police.
The witness told state police the vehicle driving erratically was a silver Volvo XC90 SUV and also assisted troopers with the investigation by returning to the scene to provide a statement, state police said.
The witness told troopers the vehicle had passed them near Exit 24 with no lights on and alleged that the SUV failed to maintain its lane, made unsafe lane changes and nearly struck other vehicles, according to state police.
Troopers made contact with the driver of the Volvo, who was identified as 36-year-old Michelle Bullett of Hartford. She was sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle with the keys in the ignition and the engine running, state police said.
Troopers also observed three children, ages 3, 9 and 17 years old, in the vehicle along with a dog, none of whom were secured in child safety restraint systems, according to state police.
While talking with Bullett, troopers allegedly observed signs of impairment, including the odor of an alcoholic beverage as well as “glossy and bloodshot eyes,” state police said.
Troopers asked Bullett if she consumed alcohol before driving, which she reportedly denied, according to state police.
State police said troopers also learned that Bullett’s license was suspended, the registration plate on the Volvo belonged to another vehicle and the Volvo was unregistered and uninsured.
Based upon their observations, troopers asked Bullett to undergo standardized field sobriety testing, which she allegedly failed. According to state police, Bullett allegedly had difficulty maintaining her balance when she was asked to exit the vehicle and used the left side of the SUV for support as she walked toward the back of the vehicle.
State police said the children in the vehicle were transported off the highway, and the Department of Children and Families was alerted about the incident.
Bullett was arrested and transported to Troop H where she was charged with operating/parking an unregistered motor vehicle, misuse of registration plates, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, three counts of OUI with a child passenger and failure to maintain proper lane on a limited access highway.
According to state police, chemical testing was conducted later which reportedly revealed Bullett’s blood alcohol content to be in excess of the legal limit.
State police alleged that Bullett after she was arrested and advised of her rights admitted to consuming alcohol. Bullett was later released on $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on Dec. 9.
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