WEST HARTFORD — West Hartford police arrested State Representative Joe Verrengia arrested on DUI charge Wednesday night.
Around 5 p.m., West Hartford Police received three 9-1-1 calls regarding a car stopped in a southbound travel lane on New Park Avenue with the driver who appeared to be asleep at the wheel. The callers gave a description of the person and vehicle, including a license plate, as the vehicle then resumed traveling southbound. The registration showed the owner lived on Colonial Street in West Hartford.
Officers who were nearby found the car driving south on Colonial Street and saw the driver park at the registered address and get out of the car.
Joseph Verrengia, 55, was charged with one count of Operating a MV under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
Verrengia, a Democrat, was also on the West Hartford Town Council. He is a retired West Hartford police sergeant.
Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz issued a statement:
“Rep. Verrengia recognizes the seriousness of the situation, but the fact remains he made a poor decision that put people at risk. Though thankfully no one was hurt, in light of these circumstances and as he deals with the legal and personal ramifications, I have suspended Rep. Verrengia from his chairmanship of the public safety committee.”
