DUI Driver Crashes Into Business In Wallingford: Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford man accused of driving under the influence was arrested after crashing into a business early Thanksgiving morning, according to police.

The business, Style By Katelyn, was significantly damaged in the crash and is temporarily closed, according to a post on Facebook.

An officer saw an older black Crown Victoria “operating erratically” around 1:25 a.m. on Nov. 23 in the area of Center Street and East Main Street and tried to initiate a traffic stop, according to Sgt. Henry Cadett

Cadett said the driver didn’t stop and the officer did not attempt to pursue the vehicle.

The vehicle was later found in the municipal parking lot in the downtown area and the officer tried to stop the vehicle again, according to Cadett.

Cadett said the driver, identified as Matthew Hackley, left the scene at a “high rate of speed, struck a light pole,” and turned north on to North Colony Road.

Hackley then crashed the vehicle into the front of the business at 26 North Colony Road “causing significant damage to both the vehicle and the storefront,” according to Cadett.

The Wallingford Fire Department, Electric Division, and Building Department responded to assess the damage, according to Cadett.

Cadett said Hackley got out of the vehicle and ran away from the crash site, and was eventually taken into custody by police in the area of Meadow Street.

He was found to be in the possession of a set of brass knuckles, and a ball peen hammer was found inside his vehicle, according to Cadett.

Hackley was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol / drugs, reckless driving, failure to obey police signal, failure to drive in proper lane, engaging police in pursuit, evading responsibility / property damage, failure to obey stop sign, interfering with an officer / resisting, and illegal possession of weapons in a motor vehicle.

Hackley was released from after posting a $5,000 bond, according to Cadett.

This isn’t the first time a vehicle has crashed into the Style By Katelyn business.

“Unfortunately once again the salon faces another accident to the front windows!” the owner wrote in a post on Facebook. “As we did last time this happened, we will get through this once again! We have some cleaning to do but will be completely functional by Tuesday, we will keep everyone updated! Thank you to Servpro for getting us boarded up!”