Woman Found Passed Out With Kids in Car at Amusement Center: State Police

SOMERS, CT — A woman who was supposed to be using an ignition device designed to thwart drunken driving was was found passed out in a vehicle at a local amusement center with children in the car, according to an arrest report.

The incident was on Saturday at 11:01 p.m., state police said. The owner of Sonny's Place told a trooper that he found a woman passed out in the driver's seat of a vehicle in the parking lot, according to an arrest report.

Sonny's place is located on 349 Main St. in Somers.

When approaching the car, a trooper saw two children in the back seat, not fastened in any type of restraining system, according to an arrest report.

The driver was identified in an arrest report as as Melisa N. Garcia, 37, of Vincent Street, West Hartford.

According to an arrest report, she not only failed a series of sobriety tests, but failed to use a required interlocking ignition device, designed to prevent previous offenders from driving while intoxicated.

State police said Garcia was charged with:

• Driving under the influence
• Illegally operating a motor vehicle without an ignition device
• Two counts of risk of injury to a child

She posted a $10,000 bond and is due in court on July 10, according to an arrest report.

Photo Credit: State Police