Crime & Safety
Shelton Man, 64, Arrested after Driving 12 Miles in Wrong Direction on Rt. 8: State Police
The incident occurred during the early morning hours on Tuesday
SHELTON, CT — A 64-year-old Shelton man, who state police said was intoxicated, drove 12 miles in the wrong direction on Route 8 early Tuesday before troopers were able to puncture the vehicles' tires.
Walter Ciepiela, of Asbury Ridge Road, was arrested and charged with a host of violations, including Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, Driving the Wrong Way on a Divided Highway, Interfering with an Officer and Disobeying the Signal of an Officer.
Troopers were alerted about a wrong-way driver northbound on Rt. 8 just before 1 a.m., who turned out to be Ciepiela. After spotting him, several troopers tried to stop the vehicle but Ciepiela ignored the orders and kept driving, traveling 12 miles before troopers were able to puncture the tires using special sticks.
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He failed sobriety tests and was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond. He was scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court today, Aug. 9.
Photo: Walter Ciepiela. Photo credit: Connecticut State Police
Find out what's happening in Shelton-Derbyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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