By Tiffany Williams –
Monday morning, Connecticut State Police responded to a two-car motor vehicle accident on the exit 58 off ramp from I-84 eastbound in East Hartford.
Upon arrival, Connecticut State Police said, “Troopers determined that the accident was a front to rear-end collision between the two vehicles and determined the at-fault operator failed to drive at a reasonable distance apart.”
The at-fault operator, Connecticut State Police has identified as Elizabeth Burnham of East Hartford.
Burnham had one passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident, a two-year-old child.
“Burnham explained to Troopers on scene that she was not able to stop in time and collided with the rear end of the vehicle ahead of her,” Connecticut State Police said. “While speaking with Burnham, Troopers began to observe clear signs of intoxication to include slurred speech and delayed body movement. Burnham admitted to Troopers on scene that she had used crack/cocaine prior to driving. Based upon this, Burnham was requested to submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Burnham agreed to submit to testing and subsequently failed. Burnham was arrested on site.”
While searching Burnham’s vehicle incident to arrest, Connecticut State Police said they discovered fentanyl, suspected crack/cocaine, and a glass pipe consistent with the use of crack/cocaine.
The suspected narcotics and paraphernalia, Connecticut State Police said, were seized as evidence in their investigation, and Burnham’s vehicle was later towed.
As for the minor child in the vehicle with Burnham, Connecticut State Police said, “A family member was contacted to take custody of the minor child and the Department of Children and Families was advised of this incident.”
Burnham was charged with Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs, Failure to Drive at a Reasonable Distance Apart- MV Accident, Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance (2nd Offense, 2 counts), and Risk of Injury to a Minor.