Man Charged With Drunken Driving, Tampering With Breath Ignition Device in Vernon

VERNON, CT — A Manchester man has been arrested for drunken driving and tampering with an ignition device designed to prevent him from doing so in the first place, Vernon police said.

Craig Whitehead, 53, of 416 North Main St., Manchester, was initially pulled over for speeding and a lane violation at 10:24 a.m. on Friday near the Bolton Road-Interstate-84 Exit 66 interchange, according to an arrest report.

He was also charged with driving under the influence, according to an arrest report.

According to an arrest report, Police then realized he had tampered with a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device, a breath alcohol analyzer that interconnects with the ignition and other control systems of a motor vehicle.

According to the state Department of Motor Vehicles, the interlock program is a "structured means of providing a convicted impaired driver a restricted driving privilege." Program participants must meet eligibility criteria and agree to abide by enforceable program guidelines that include the abstention from drinking alcohol prior to driving, according to the DMV.

Whitehead is due in Court in Feb. 27, an arrest report indicates.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel