By Tiffany Williams –
Connecticut State Police on Thursday arrested Anthony Benvenuto 54 of Enfield, Connecticut. Benvenuto was charged with Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Without Minimum Insurance, Reckless Driving, Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs (Third Offense), Failure to Maintain Proper Lane- Limited Access Highway, and Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle in Violation of License Classification.
A Connecticut State Police Trooper on patrol on I-91 southbound prior to exit 33 in Hartford was patrolling the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane when they observed when Benvenuto allegedly passed the Trooper in the left lane. Connecticut State Police says this happened around 7:06 AM.
“The Trooper observed that the pickup was traveling between the left lane and swale of the HOV lane when they were passed, to which the Trooper continued to observe operation,” Connecticut State Police said. “The Trooper observed that the pickup was continuing to accelerate and moving erratically across the lanes, from left to right, nearly colliding with other vehicles. The Trooper positioned their cruiser behind the pickup and observed further unsafe lane changes, to include the truck coming back across to the left, straddling the left lane and HOV swale. Based upon these observations, the Trooper activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop.”
Connecticut State Police said Benvenuto complied with the Trooper’s signal to stop and pulled into the right shoulder near exit 33.
“While speaking with Benvenuto, the Trooper began to observe clear signs of impairment consistent with drug use,” Connecticut State Police said. “Upon asking Benvenuto if he had consumed alcohol or drugs prior to driving, Benvenuto stated that he had not. The Trooper requested Benvenuto participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, to which Benvenuto agreed. Benvenuto failed to perform the tests to standard and was subsequently arrested.”
A Maine license that Benvenuto gave to a Trooper, Connecticut State Police said, was suspended. Connecticut State Police also said that Benvenuto was unable to verify proof of insurance for his vehicle.
Benvenuto, just four days before, on November 10, was arrested for DUI in the same area of I-91 southbound.
Benvenuto is in custody held on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Hartford Superior Court on Friday.