DUI Driver Causes Head-On Crash with His Children, ages 2 and 7 months, in Car: Clinton Police

CLINTON, CT — A Guilford man faces several charges after Clinton Police say he was driving under the influence and caused a head-on collision while his two young children, ages 2 and 7 months, were in the car on Thursday evening.

Daniel P. O’Brien, 46, of Ives Place in Guilford, is also accused of drinking while driving as police found an open container, which they believe contained alcohol, in the center console cup holder and a partially consumed bottle of liquor was also found by the driver’s seat.

The Clinton Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene of a two-car head-on crash at the intersection of Central Avenue and High Street (Rte. 81) at about 5:15 p.m., according to Sgt. Jeremiah F. Dunn.

Upon arrival, officers determined that the operator of the vehicle (O’Brien) that crossed the yellow line and caused the accident, appeared to be highly intoxicated, according to Dunn.

Dunn also said that O’Brien’s children were in car seats at the time of the accident, and appeared to be uninjured, but were transported to a local hospital via ambulance for an evaluation as a precaution.

The children were then reunited with their mother, who was not involved in the incident, according to Dunn.

The Department of Children and Families was also notified of the incident.

O’Brien was arrested on charges of DWI, drinking while driving, two counts of risk of injury to a minor and failure to drive in the established lane.

O’Brien is currently being held on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Middlesex Superior Court on Friday.

Pictured: Daniel P. O’Brien, 46, of Guilford / Clinton Police Department