DUI Driver Lost Consciousness Before Serious Crash On Choate Campus: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford man accused of operating under the influence faces several charges in connection to a serious crash on the Choate Rosemary Hall Campus on Tuesday. Police say the driver, who was unconscious when officers arrived on the scene, struck several objects, including signs, a decorative light pole and several sections of a granite fence post.

The crash occurred on North Elm Street near its intersection with Curtis Avenue, in the heart of the Choate campus, shortly after 6 p.m. on Sept. 26, according to Lt. Anthony DeMaio. The one-vehicle crash involved a 2014 Toyota Camry that was operated by Stanley R. Drake, 43, of Wallingford. (To sign up for Wallingford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

DeMaio said Drake was transported from the scene to Yale-New Haven Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash and evaluation related to a “possible narcotic overdose while operating the Camry.”

The investigation, which is ongoing, revealed that Drake was traveling in a southbound direction on North Elm Street and while on a straight portion of the roadway, lost consciousness and left the travel portion of the roadway where he struck several objects, including a street sign, a decorative light pole, a Choate Rosemary Hall school sign, and several sections of granite fence post and wooden cross members, according to DeMaio. The vehicle came to a stop against the southern curb line of Curtis Avenue.

Initial responding officers found Drake unconscious behind the wheel and trapped within the vehicle, which was totaled, according to DeMaio.

DeMaio said a male passenger, who was in the front seat and whose identity has not been confirmed, exited the vehicle and then lost consciousness in the front yard of a nearby residence. On-scene police officers and arriving fire department personnel administered Narcan to both Drake and his passenger in an attempt to revive them prior to transport to the hospital, according to DeMaio.

Drake is conscious and in stable condition, according to DeMaio. He was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, possession of narcotics, failure to drive in the proper lane, and operating a motor vehicle without a license. He was issued a misdemeanor summons and released on a $7,500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Oct. 10.

DeMaio said the passenger was admitted to Yale New Haven Hospital and, at the time of the press release, is unresponsive with no known injuries as a result of the crash.

Vehicular traffic was affected for approximately 3 ½ hours while the Wallingford Police Department Traffic Division reconstructed the collision. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer James Knowlton at 203-294-2818.

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