Hartford Firefighter Arrested for DUI in Farmington After Allegedly Fleeing Accident Scene

A Hartford firefighter was arrested after he allegedly fled the scene of an accident while under the influence, according to police.

Farmington police responded to a two-car accident on Farmington Avenue around 9:30 p.m. Thursday night, said Lt. Colin Ryan, police spokesman.

Officers found one vehicle that had heavy rear damage at the scene and witnesses reported that the other vehicle had fled.

A citizen witness followed the fleeing vehicle and directed officers to its location on Brickyard Road about four miles from the crash site, Ryan said. Officers pulled the vehicle over and noticed it had front-end damage.

Police identified the driver as Jeffrey Vendetta, 41. Officers gave him a breath test at the scene and the first result was .2368 and the second was .2362, Ryan said.

Both are nearly three times over the legal limit.

Vendetta was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence, evading responsibility, restricted turns and following too close.

The other driver complained of minor neck pain, but declined medical treatment.

Vendetta has been suspended from the department, according to the Hartford Courant.