Stamford Man Charged With OUI Made 'Obscene Gesture' To Trooper: State Police

STAMFORD, CT — A 58-year-old Stamford man was arrested and charged Friday with speeding and illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs after Connecticut State Police say he was clocked at high speeds on Interstate-95 in Darien.

A trooper assigned to Troop G- Bridgeport was patrolling I-95 southbound in the area of exit 13 in Darien when they observed a Honda CR-V traveling at speeds "clearly higher" than the posted speed limit of 55 mph, state police said in a news release.

"The trooper began to clock the vehicle's speed by calibrated speedometer and observed speeds ranging from 81-84 mph," state police added. "While the trooper was clocking the vehicle's speed, the trooper observed the operator extend a hand from the driver-side window and made an obscene gesture with their finger."

Following a traffic stop, the trooper "began to observe clear signs of intoxication" from the driver and noticed that his "eyes were watery, his speech was slurred and the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from within the vehicle," state police said.

The driver, who told police he was coming from an establishment where he consumed "several" beers, was unable to provide the trooper with a clear reason for his speed or his hand gesture, state police said. The driver agreed to participate in and subsequently failed standardized field sobriety tests, police said.

Chemical testing later conducted at Troop G found the arrestee's blood alcohol content was approximately twice the legal limit.

The man was released on a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear at Stamford Superior Court on Nov. 18.