Southington Cops: Drunken Driver Checking a Text Caused 3-Car Pileup

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Local police said a three-car pileup that shut down a section of Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike on Wednesday night was the result of a drunken driver checking an incoming text message.

At 9 p.m. on Wednesday, officers were called to the area of Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike and Canal
Street for a reported crash with possible injuries, according to a news release.

Police said an investigation showed that o ne car was stopped at a traffic control signal facing eastbound traffic on Meriden Waterbury Turnpike.

Police said another vehicle was stopped behind that car.

A third vehicle then made contact with the rear end of the second vehicle and caused it to slam into the first, police said.

The car in the middle of the sandwich sustained heavy damage, police said.

In instigator was identified by police as Traci Creem, 45 of Meriden.

Creem told police that she took her eyes off of the roadway to read a text message just before impact, according to a news release.

"Further testing" at the scene showed that Creem was "allegedly operating under the influence," police said.

Creem was issued a Misdemeanor Summons and charged with DUI, following too close, the use of a hand-held mobile device while driving and distracted driving, police said. Creem was released on a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bristol Superior Court on Aug. 29, police said.

It took crews about 60 minutes the clear the road, police said.

Photo Credit: Southington Police