Mom Arrested for DUI in Front of her Daughter’s School

On November 6, 2023 around 11:21 AM, Officer Kyra Teixeira with the Ledyard Police Department headed over to Ledyard Middle School at 1860 Route 12 after there was a report of a potential intoxicated motorist in the bus lane in front of the school. The caller stated that when the parent dropped off her child, she appeared intoxicated. Officer Teixeira made contact with the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as 33-year-old Christina, and she appeared to be asleep behind the wheel with the vehicle running.

The officer knocked on the window and asked her if she was ok. She was asked for her driver’s license and Christina stated that her license was suspended. While speaking with the operator, the officer noticed that she had glossy, red bloodshot eyes, her speech lacked clear enunciation, and she appeared disoriented and disheveled. The operator admitted to having taken a particular controlled substance an hour earlier. She also admitted to having smoked, but denied having any alcohol before operating the motor vehicle.

Based on her suspicion of impairment, the driver was asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises. Detective Cadro and Lieutenant Muench were present during testing. Officer Teixeira started with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, and she observed the lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees (6/6 clues). She did not observe vertical nystagmus. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test, and this test was terminated because she nearly fell to the ground several times. The third exercise was the One Leg Stand test, but it also had to be terminated because Christina nearly fell over. The remaining field sobriety tests including the Lack of Convergence, Modified Romberg Balance Test, and Finger to Nose test were not completed due to the state in which Christina was in.

Based on the report from the caller, her admission to consuming a controlled substance, and her inability to perform the field sobriety exercises, Christina was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. She was transported to the Ledyard Police Department for further processing. At the station, Officer Teixeira read her the implied consent located on the back of the A-44 form at 12:10 PM. After she was given the opportunity to call an attorney, Christina refused to take the breath test and urine test. Detective Cadro also witnessed her refuse a DRE evaluation.

Christina was charged with violating C.G.S. 14-227a – Operating under the influence, C.G.S. 14-215(1) – Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and C.G.S. 53-21 – Risk of injury to a minor. Christina’s mother posted a 10% cash bond for her, and she was released from Ledyard Police custody on a $7,500 surety bond. She was given a court date in the New London Superior Court on November 7, 2023 at 9:00 AM. A DCF referral was made a 1:17 PM due to her daughter being in the motor vehicle while she was operating it under the influence.

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