Driver Tests 4 Times Over the Limit After Vernon Traffic Stop

VERNON, CT — Vernon police made two drunken driving arrests over the weekend — one involving a driver four times over the legal limit and another involving a car that whizzed by a police cruiser, reports show.

At 1:19 a.m. Monday, an officer was on patrol on route 83 in a marked cruiser when he noticed a vehicle traveling 30 mph in a 40 mph zone and swerving, according to a report. The car turned around on Naek Road and then began traveling in the opposite direction on Route 83, according to a report.

It was then pulled over, and the driver, 39-year-old Herbert Grannis, of Tolland, tested for a blood alcohol level of .33, well beyond the legal limit of .08, according to a report. He was charged with driving under the influence and a lane violation, police said.

At 4:43 p.m. Saturday, an Vernon officer was on patrol in an unmarked cruiser on East main Street near the old Amerbelle Textiles factory when he noticed a car make an abrupt turn-around at Amerbelle.

The cruiser continued into Grover Street and the officer noticed the same car pass him in a no-passing zone, according to a report.

He pulled the car over and arrested the driver, Catalina Baez, 29, of Vernon, for drunken driving, according to a report.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

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