Intoxicated Man Found Asleep Behind Wheel, Drives Off After Police Wake Him Up

South Windsor police charged a town man with DUI after he was found asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle in a parking lot and drove off after officers woke him up.

Parker Lyford, 48 of 1519 John Fitch Blvd., was arrested Tuesday night after admitting that he had “too much to drink” following a series of roadside sobriety tests, according to police.

Police located Lyford asleep behind the wheel at a John Fitch Blvd. business at about 10 p.m. on April 7. Police said there were empty liquor bottles next to him and the officer attempted to wake Lyford up to ensure that he wasn’t having a medical issue.

Once he was awake, Lyford was very agitated and exhibited slurred speech and slow motor function, according to police. He also began to drive off despite the officers’ instructions to shut off the car.

The officer followed the car onto Route 5 and attempted to pull Lyford over as he weaved in the roadway before finally stopping near the East Hartford town line.

Lyford, who refused to take a breath test once back at police headquarters, was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, disobeying an officer’s signal, operating a motor vehicle without a license and interfering with an officer.

Lyford was later released on a $7,500 bond and is scheduled to appear at Manchester Superior Court on April 16.