State Rep. Comey Gets Intervention Over Trial After DUI: Reports

HARTFORD, CT — A judge approved Rep. Robin Comey's request Friday to enter the state's impaired driving intervention program in lieu of a trial regarding a car crash March 16, after which Comey was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, according to multiple reports.

If Comey succeeds in the program, the charges against her will be dropped a year from Saturday, according to FOX61, which was in Superior Court in Hartford Friday for the appearance.

Comey's attorney said in court she is "extremely remorseful" and "thankful no one was seriously injured," the outlet reported.

"I'm very grateful for the second chance," Comey said to reporters after her Friday court appearance, according to the New Haven Register. "I'm ready to move forward, I feel strong. I'm working my recovery and maintaining my sobriety."

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UPDATE: State Rep. Comey, Charged With DUI After Crash, Apologizes: PD

Comey was arrested in March after the car she was driving crashed and flipped on Capitol Avenue in Hartford, police said.

A few days after her arrest, Comey issued an apology statement to "my constituents, my colleagues in the CT General Assembly, my family and friends."

"After much reflection and with the support of my family, starting today, I will begin treatment to better understand the disease that is addiction and to get the help I recognize I need," Comey wrote in the March 18 statement. "I am deeply grateful in advance to everyone for giving me the time and support I need."

News 12 CT obtained a copy of the police report after the crash. In it, police noted that Comey's black Honda Civic was "upside down in the middle of the roadway" and that she "reeked of alcohol."

The report reads that Comey refused medical treatment, told police she didn't know what happened, and, police said, she lost her balance and when she was asked again what led up to crash, she had a "blank stare." She told police, "I don’t know. I was heading home from uhh," the report reads.

She was put in "double lock handcuffs," according to police. At first declining to do a breathalyzer test and after asking what happens if she doesn’t, she eventually did and police wrote she blew a 0.1446. The legal limit is 0.08.

Democrat Comey is the Assistant Majority Whip and sits on the Committee on Children, and Education and Human Services committees.

In June 2021, she was singled out after a legislative session was scuttled when she struggled to speak on her bill advocating for early childhood education services. She apologized, saying a combination of anxiety, exhaustion, and wine at dinner was to blame for her inability to carry on.

In an emailed statement to Patch at the time, she said that what happened then was an anomaly.
“This type of behavior is not typical for me,” Comey said in 2021.

After the crash in March, House Speaker Matt Ritter put out a statement saying he's removed Comey from committee and leadership assignments.

"This was an extremely dangerous situation, and somebody could have been seriously injured, including Rep. Comey," Ritter said. "I want to thank the Hartford police for the quick response. My immediate reaction is to think about Rep. Comey’s next steps. I hope she focuses on her health and well-being, and I know that her friends and colleagues will support her in any way we can. In light of the seriousness of the situation, I am immediately removing Rep. Comey from all committee and leadership assignments until further notice."