Stratford Councilman's DUI Charge Could Be Dropped Under Program

STRATFORD, CT — The charges against a Stratford councilman and retired police officer, who is accused of driving more than 100 mph while under the influence, could be dismissed if he completes an alcohol education program.

William F. Perillo was in court Thursday to apply for the program, where he appeared on camera before Judge Peter McShane from a separate courtroom in compliance with pandemic safety protocols.

Perillo confirmed he had not previously been convicted of driving while intoxicated or participated in the education program. His attorney, Peter Billings, declined to comment following the brief hearing.

Perillo was charged after an incident Sept. 12 with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving at a speed greater than 85 mph, disobeying an officer's signal, and failure to drive in the proper lane, according to Connecticut State Police.

A state trooper recorded Perillo’s vehicle going 117 mph in a 55-mph zone near Exit 53 on Route 15 in Stratford, according to police, who said Perillo refused to stop for a "considerable distance" before eventually slowing and coming to a halt.

Perillo, 51, of the 500 block of Woodlawn Avenue, was arrested, but complained of difficulty breathing and was brought to St. Vincent's Medical Center, where he failed a field sobriety test and was released on a $2,500 bond to the care of hospital staff, police said.

In addition to representing Stratford's Seventh District on the Town Council, Perillo, a Republican, is a 25-year veteran of the Stratford Police Department.

The pretrial alcohol education program, which Perillo is applying for, includes a clinical evaluation followed by a recommendation of intervention programming or therapy. If Perillo finishes the program, the charges against him would be dismissed.

Perillo is scheduled to appear in court again Dec. 9 for the second stage of his application for the program.