CROMWELL, Conn. — A 36-year-old Hartford woman was arrested Tuesday evening for driving under the influence with children in the car, according to a release from Connecticut State Police.
Michelle Bullett faces multiple charges, including illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, three counts of operating under the influence with child passengers, failure to maintain proper lane, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, misuse of a registration plate and operating/parking an unregistered motor vehicle.
State police said that around 7:50 p.m. on Nov. 19, troopers at Troop H in Hartford received numerous 911 calls reporting an erratic silver Volvo SUV traveling southbound on Interstate 91 near Exit 24 in Wethersfield.
Before troopers reached the vehicle, it pulled over to the shoulder near Exit 21 in Cromwell with no lights on. According to state police, one of the individuals who called 911 pulled over ahead of the vehicle to ensure it did not resume driving. The witness later returned to the scene to provide a statement pertaining to the SUV’s erratic driving.
The witness told troopers that the SUV passed them near Exit 24 with no lights on and that it failed to maintain its lane while making unsafe lane changes and nearly striking other vehicles.
The operator of the SUV was identified as Bullett, who was found in the driver’s seat with the keys in the ignition and engine running, according to state police.
Three minors, ages three, nine and 17 were also in the car along with a dog. None of the passengers were secured in proper child safety restraint systems, state police said.
Troopers report that while speaking with Bullett, they observed clear signs of impairment, smelled the odor of alcohol coming from Bullett and saw that Bullett had glossy and bloodshot eyes. Bullett denied drinking alcohol prior to driving, however.
State police said that further investigation determined that Bullet’s license was suspended, the registration plate on the SUV belonged to another vehicle and the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured.
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State police gave Standardized Field Sobriety Testing to Bullett, who they said had a hard time maintaining her balance when stepping out of the SUV. She reportedly used the left side of the SUV for support as she walked towards the rear. She agreed to testing and failed, according to state police.
Troopers arrested Bullett without incident and brought her to Troop H, where she was processed and charged.
State police said that chemical testing later revealed Bullett’s blood alcohol content was over the legal limit, and she later admitted to consuming alcohol.
The children in the SUV were taken off the highway, and the Department of Children and Families was informed of the incident. Bullett was released from custody on a $5,000 bond and will appear at Middletown Superior Court on Dec. 9.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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