A man allegedly had a blood alcohol content of nearly three times the legal limit when he crashed into a utility pole and an occupied home in Waterbury early Wednesday, police said.
The crash occurred at a home on Pearl Lake Road at 1:45 a.m. when officers responded to the report of a single-vehicle collision, according to Sgt. Joseph Morais of the Waterbury Police Department.
Responding officers found that the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole before crashing into a home, Morais said. No injuries were reported from the driver or the individuals in the home, according to Morais.
The home was assessed and was found to be structurally sound, Morais said. The utility pole sustained heavy damage and needed repair.
Morais said police identified the driver as 30-year-old Jose Martinez of Waterbury. No one else was in the vehicle.
Martinez allegedly showed “distinct signs” of impairment and was given multiple field sobriety tests, which he allegedly failed, Morais said. He was taken into custody and reportedly later found to have a BAC of 0.23, according to Morais. The legal limit to drive a vehicle in Connecticut is 0.08.
Martinez faces charges of operating under the influence of alcohol, failure to maintain the proper lane, reckless driving and traveling too fast for conditions. He was held in custody and was expected to face a judge later in the morning.
“Driving under the influence is never acceptable and is always wrong,” Morais said in a statement. “Our officers remain vigilant against DUI offenders and strictly enforce our state’s DUI laws.”