Newtown police officer on medical leave after DUI crash
NEWTOWN – On Tuesday, Chief Michael Kehoe said that 56-year-old Gladys Pisani, a Newtown police officer has been on medical leave since the day after the crash that occurred on 6th of October on Route 64.
Chief Michael Kehoe was charged with driving under the influence after an accident in Middlebury. On Wednesday, she will make her first appearance in state Superior Court in Waterbury. Kehoe said, “Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with her and with the other injured operator”.
Pisani was driving a 2006 Subaru station wagon that crossed the center line near the Quassy Amusement Park and hit a 2005 Chevy Blazer driven by 19-year-old Taylor Panagrosso, said Middlebury police. The accident happened just before 6:40 p.m. Pisani’s car caught fire but the flames were rapidly extinguished by the responding Middlebury officer. Panagrosso was injured in the accident and was taken to Waterbury Hospital.
In a press release, Middlebury Police Chief Richard Wildman said, “The accident was determined to be caused by Pisani, and she was arrested. The arrest was based on observations, odor of alcohol on the operator’s breath and statements by witnesses”. According to Wildman, Pisani didn’t give sample for a breath test.
She was charged with failure to drive to the right and released on $500 bond and is pending court appearance. Pisani is a 16-year police veteran and he has been the department’s youth officer for the past 5 years.
1st time driving under the influence offenders may be eligible for an alcohol education program and have their record wiped clean if they successfully complete a period of probation, under the Connecticut law but refusing to give a breath or blood sample for testing the BAC level can result in up to a six-month license suspension by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
News Source: www.NewsTime.com
