Manchester Man Accused of Drunken Cruise on Roads Near UConn

MANSFIELD, CT — A Manchester man whose blood alcohol level was well more than twice the legal limit was charged with drunken driving for cruising through Storrs Center near both the University of Connecticut and E.O.Smith High School in the middle of a weekday, state police said.

Police charged 56-year-old Paul Rosa, of Manchester, on Feb. 16 for the October incident, according to an arrest report.

On Oct. 4 at 12:52 p.m., state police received a report about an erratic driver in a white van on Route 44 heading to Storrs from Coventry, according to an arrest warrant.

The caller remained on the phone as a spotter for state police, according to a warrant.

The van went past the CVS and turned south on Route 195 toward UConn, a area known for heavy pedestrian traffic, especially that time of day, state police said.

A trooper intercepted the van on Route 195 near Bolton Road and saw the driver drift in an out of the main lane.

The van finally puled over at a dental office on Hanks Hill Road, state police said. Rosa identified as the driver and was taken to an area hospital by a trooper worried for his safety, according to a warrant. Tests showed his blood alcohol level was .20, well beyond the legal limit of .08, state police said in a warrant.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel