State trooper hurt by drunk driver who was about 3 times legal limit

Anthony Waiters, 32, of Waterbury, was charged with evading responsibility, operating under the influence and improper passing.

According to state police, the trooper was conducting the stop on Carrington Road near Gaylord Mountain Road in Bethany when he was struck by another car driven by Waiters.

Troopers said Waiters failed to move over for the emergency vehicle and both rear-ended and sideswiped it.

Police said the trooper was in his cruiser at the time and sustained minor injuries. He was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital for evaluation.

The cruiser was heavily damaged.

Waiters continued driving after the incident. His vehicle sustained passenger side damage.

Troopers were able to stop Waiters just north of the crash scene.

He told state police that he kept going after the crash because he was scared.

They said they were able to smell a strong alcoholic odor on Waitiers. He also slurred his speech. He also failed a field sobriety test.

Troopers said a breathalyzer test had his blood alcohol content at .2265. The legal limit in Connecticut is .08.

He was arrested and released on a $1,500 cash/surety bond.

Waiters was given a court date of Sept. 5.

The vehicle and driver originally stopped by the trooper were not involved.