Hamden Man Arrested for Driving Drunk with 3-Year-Old Grandson in the Car

A Hamden man was arrested Sunday for allegedly driving while intoxicated with his 3-year-old grandson in the backseat.

Prince Hayward, 50, of 233 Goodrich Street in Hamden, was arrested Nov. 2 on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and risk of Injury to a minor.

Hamden police responded to the area of Dixwell Avenue and Skiff Street at about 5 p.m. Sunday on a report of an intoxicated driver in which two vehicles had “boxed in” the driver, according to a police press release.

Police said that Hayward was operating his vehicle northbound on Dixwell Avenue with his 3 year-old grandson seated in the backseat.

A concerned citizen approached the vehicle, which had stopped in the northbound lane, and she observed Hayward slumped over the steering wheel and a small child crying inside, according to police.

Hayward’s vehicle was “in drive” and his foot was on the brake. The concerned citizen subsequently removed the child from the vehicle for safety purposes. She then contacted Hamden Police.

Officers administered a field sobriety test at the scene, which Hayward failed, according to police. He was promptly arrested and transported to police headquarters. A standardized sobriety test revealed that Hayward was three times over the legal limit, according to police.

The 3-year-old was turned over to the custody of his mother and the Department of Children and Families was contacted.

Hayward was detained on a $5,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Nov. 13.