DUI Driver Drove Through I-95 Construction In North Stonington: Police

NORTH STONINGTON, CT — A New London man drove through an I-95 construction site and then fell asleep at the wheel during a traffic stop, according to state police.

John E. Jimenez, 55, of New London, was charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, failure to drive in proper lane, sale of a narcotic substance, and first offense possession of a controlled substance.

A trooper was at a construction site on I-95 northbound between exit 92 and the Rhode Island state line in North Stonington. The project included a clearly marked left lane closure.

The trooper spotted a black sedan behind them driving in the construction zone before merging into the appropriate lane, nearly striking another driver.

The trooper then initiated a traffic stop on the black sedan. The driver came to a stop along the right side of the travel lane, blocking traffic and creating a hazard, state police said. The trooper then exited their cruiser, approached the driver, and told him to move to a safer area.

Once the driver did, the trooper approached the BMW M3 again. While speaking with the driver, Jimenez, the trooper noticed that the car kept rolling forward, and the trooper repeatedly told Jimenez to put the vehicle in park. The trooper saw that the driver was showing signs of being impaired.

At one point, the trooper returned to their cruiser, then when they returned to the car, Jimenez, was asleep in the driver's seat, according to state police. He then failed field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.

Troopers searched his car and found 2 grams of a purple powdery substance in a clear plastic bag on him, police said. Jimenez also admitted there was fentanyl in a bag in the backseat.

Police also seized a 22.5-gram back of a white powdery, rock-like substance in a plastic bag, along with cash in a wallet in denominations consistent with street-level drug dealing.

Jimenez was taken to Troop E for processing and charged.

He was released on $20,000 bond and scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on Nov. 14.