DUI Driver Drove Through Highway Construction Zone In Meriden: Police

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden woman is accused of driving through a construction zone on I-691 in Meriden on Thursday night while under the influence, according to Connecticut State Police.

The incident happened around 8:15 p.m. where a construction project was taking place on I-691 West at the Exit 7 off-ramp. A Connecticut State Police Sergeant was assigned to the project and a safety construction pattern, including signs, construction cones and traffic trucks displaying flashing yellow lights, were put in place to indicate the closure of the right lane and the Exit 7 off ramp, according to police.

“The Sergeant, who was positioned near the Exit 7 off ramp, observed a blue station wagon traveling at a high rate of speed in the center lane,” police wrote in a news release. “The vehicle reduced its speed and made an abrupt right turn into the right lane to enter the Exit 7 off ramp, which was visibly blocked by workers in the roadway. To alert the workers in the roadway and attempt to stop the vehicle, the Sergeant activated his vehicle’s lights and sirens. The vehicle, a blue 2005 Subaru Legacy, came to a stop halfway down the Exit 7 off ramp.”

Police said the driver, identified as 35-year-old Natasha Cabrera, was “exhibiting signs of possible impairment and requested that an additional trooper respond to assist.”

Cabrera failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody, according to police.

Police said Cabrera “spontaneously advised troopers that she was in possession of ‘PCP’ which was seized and processed as evidence.”

She was charged with driving under the influence, failure to maintain established lane in a construction zone, operating without a license and possession of a controlled substance.

Cabrera was released after posting a $1,500 bond with a court date of Dec. 16.