911 Callers Help Police Nab Drunk Motorist On I-84 In Farmington: CSP

FARMINGTON, CT — State police are crediting 911 callers for their stopping of an accused drunk driver in Farmington seen driving erratically on Interstate 84 early Monday morning.

As a result, police said Monday afternoon Kaylyn Howard, 34, of New Britain, was charged with illegal Operation of a motor vehicle Under the Influence of alcohol/drugs and failure to maintain the proper lane.

Howard was later released from custody on a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear at New Britain Superior Court on Dec. 27.

The incident comes as state police continue their ongoing battle against dangerous driving on Connecticut highways, a situation highlighted by the deaths of multiple pedestrians in recent months, including a state trooper in Southington May 30.

On Monday at approximately 1:42 a.m., state police at Troop H in Hartford received multiple 911 calls reporting the erratic operation on a black Toyota sedan traveling east on I-84 near the Route 72 interchange in Plainville.

Police said callers reported the vehicle was "all over the road, with the operator failing to maintain their lane."

The vehicle was further described as having a yellow rope securing the trunk lid.

A sergeant assigned to Troop H was in the vicinity at the time and took a stationary post in the center median of I-84 in Farmington, police said.

The sergeant observed a vehicle matching this description pass their location, to which the sergeant began to follow the vehicle and observe its operation.

After observing the vehicle failing to maintain its lane, police said the sergeant activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop.

The operator complied and pulled over to the right shoulder along Route 9 southbound from exit 39A in Farmington, police said.

Upon making contact with the operator, the sergeant observed signs of impairment to "include the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the operator's breath," police said in a statement.

The operator was positively identified as Howard.

Howard failed field sobriety tests and was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop H, police wrote.

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