DUI Crash On I-84 In Vernon Leads To Animal Cruelty Charges: Warrant

VERNON, CT — A 64-year-old driver is not only facing a drunken driving charge — but animal cruelty as well — for a crash last month on Interstate 84 in Vernon.

The crash took place on I-84 westbound at 5:22 p.m. on Aug. 1, according to an arrest warrant served last week.

Troopers responded to the area near Exit 67 after receiving reports about a crash with "ejection," according to a warrant. Troopers found a Ford Taurus on the left shoulder with tire marks and debris scattered over all three lanes, according to a warrant.

The driver, identified as Gary Shepard, who had a Maine driver's license but is listed as a Stafford resident on an arrest report, said he recalled hitting the guardrail but not much else, according to an arrest report.

Troopers also located a dog in the center lane that had been thrown from the Ford and killed during the rollover crash, according to a warrant. A second dog had been ejected from the Ford but was unhurt, state police said.

State police said Shepherd admitted to having "three beers and two shots" an hour before but denied drinking in the vehicle, according to a warrant. Troopers located several open alcoholic beverage containers inside the car, a warrant states.

Another driver on the westbound side told state police that the Taurus passed his pickup truck with two dogs hanging out of windows, according to a warrant. The pickup was going 73 and the Taurus passed it easily, according to a warrant.

The pickup driver then lost sight of the Taurus, but then saw a "cluster of smoke and dirt" and saw the Taurus wrecked when he caught up to it.

Hospital tests showed Shepard to be drunk, according to a warrant.

He was charged with cruelty to animals, driving under the influence, reckless driving and a lane violation, according to an arrest report.

Tolland Animal Control cared for the uninjured dog, state police said.