On Saturday, 11/23/24 at approximately 8:10 PM, Troop E-Montville received a 911 call reporting erratic operation on a black Land Rover SUV traveling south on I-395 passing exit 5. The caller reported that the vehicle was failing to maintain its lane. A Trooper assigned to Troop E was on I-395 southbound in the area of exit 2, and upon observing the described vehicle pass their location began to follow the vehicle to observe operation.
As the Trooper was observing the vehicle's operation, they observed the operator failing to maintain their lane. The Trooper also observed that the operator was speeding, clocking the vehicle's speed at 85 mph. As the vehicle merged onto I-95 southbound, the Trooper activated the emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. The operator was slow to comply, continuing on for approximately 1/2 mile before pulling into the right shoulder and stopping past exit 71 in Old Lyme.
Upon making contact with the operator, the Trooper observed clear signs of impairment, to include the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from within the vehicle. The operator was positively identified as Robert Petrillo (DOB 04/25/67), of Branford, by his CT driver's license. Based upon the above observations, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing was administered.
Petrillo agreed to submit to SFST's and subsequently failed to perform the tests to standard. Petrillo was subsequently arrested without incident and was transported to Troop E, where he was processed for the following charges:
CGS 14-227a; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs
CGS 14-236; Failure to Maintain Proper Lane- Limited Access Highway
CGS 14-219(c)(1); Speeding Greater than 70 MPH
Petrillo was later released from custody on a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear at New London Superior Court on 12/06/24. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
