Danbury Man Arrested for DUI; Risk of Injury Following Traffic Stop on I-84 in Danbury
- csppio
- 6 minutes ago
- 3 min read
On Friday, 05/09/25, at approximately 6:15 PM, an off-duty Trooper was traveling on I-84 westbound in Danbury near exit 8. It was at this time that the Trooper observed a tan Chevrolet Equinox sport utility vehicle with no visible rear plate failing to maintain its lane. The Trooper observed the vehicle swerving between the right shoulder and right lane, and it was at this time that the Trooper activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop.
The operator of the vehicle failed to stop at this point, continuing in the right lane at approximately 15 mph. The operator then transitioned to the left lane, continuing at a very slow rate of speed. Upon approaching stopped traffic ahead, the Trooper placed their cruiser into park and approached the Equinox on foot. The Trooper instructed the operator to place the vehicle into park, to which the operator explained that he did not speak English. The Trooper subsequently placed the vehicle into park and secured the vehicle keys to prevent the operator from fleeing. The Trooper observed that the male operator was holding a one-month-old infant child in his lap, unrestrained. The Trooper also observed at this time that the operator was exhibiting clear signs of impairment. The investigation later determined that the operator did not have a valid driver's license and that the vehicle was not registered or insured.
The Trooper requested additional units to the scene, to include a Spanish speaking unit. EMS personnel were requested to respond to the scene to evaluate the unrestrained infant. All vehicles were then moved to the right shoulder by CSP personnel on scene. The operator was positively identified as Dario Marcatoma-Marcatoma (DOB 05/12/2003), of Danbury. A Danbury Police Sergeant assisted in translating on scene, at which point it was learned that Marcatoma-Marcatoma was the father of the child. Upon arrival of EMS personnel, Marcatoma-Marcatoma refused to let go of the infant child to allow EMS to evaluate her. Simultaneously, the infant child's mother had arrived on scene. The child's mother explained that Marcatoma-Marcatoma had taken their child from her crib and left the residence. The child's mother explained that she was concerned for their child's safety as she believed that Marcatoma-Marcatoma was intoxicated.
Given this update, Troopers advised Marcatoma-Marcatoma that he needed to surrender custody of his infant child for medical evaluation. Marcatoma-Marcatoma again refused to do so, at which point Troopers took control of Marcatoma-Marcatoma's wrists while the CSP Sergeant on scene carefully took control of the child. The child was then turned over to the custody of the mother, who accompanied EMS personnel to an area hospital to have the child evaluated. Marcatoma-Marcatoma was then arrested without further incident and transported to Troop A for processing.
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing was later conducted at Troop A, to which Marcatoma-Marcatoma failed to perform to standard. Marcatoma-Marcatoma was processed on the following charges:
CGS 14-100a(d(1(A; Failure to Use Rear-Facing Car Seat- Child Under 2 Years
CGS 14-12(a)*; Operating/Parking an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
CGS 14-213b; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Without Minimum Insurance
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 14-36(a); Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a License
CGS 53-21(a)(1); Risk of Injury to a Child
CGS 53a-167a; Interfering with an Officer/Resisting
CGS 53a-63; Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree
Chemical testing later conducted at Troop A revealed that Marcatoma-Marcatoma's blood alcohol content was nearly double the legal limit. Marcatoma-Marcatoma was held on a $75,000 bond and transferred to the Department of Correction. Marcatoma-Marcatoma is scheduled to appear at Danbury Superior Court on 05/12/25. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
