On Saturday, 01/25/25 at approximately 3:27 AM, Troop G- Bridgeport received a 911 call reporting a Nissan Altima sedan traveling south on I-95 in Westport. The vehicle was described to be traveling grossly below the speed limit and was all over the road, swerving from lane to lane.
As responding Troopers approached the vehicle's location, traffic was observed to be backed up with a string of vehicles traveling with their hazard lights activated. Troopers subsequently observed the reported Nissan ahead of this string of traffic, failing to maintain its lane. Troopers also observed that the vehicle was traveling under 40 mph at this time. Upon activating their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop, the operator was slow to comply, reducing their speed to approximately 5 mph prior to coasting to a stop in the right shoulder just south of exit 17.
The operator of the Nissan was positively identified as Carlos Mondragon (DOB 11/20/84), of Norwalk. While speaking with Mondragon, Troopers observed multiple signs of impairment to include the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Mondragon's person, slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. Based upon these observations, Mondragon was requested to submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Mondragon failed to perform the tests to standard was arrested without incident.
A search of the Nissan incident to Mondragon's arrest was conducted, at which point a fixed blade knife bearing a blade of approximately 4.5 inches was discovered between the driver's seat and center console near the seatbelt buckle. This knife was seized as evidence in this investigation.
Mondragon was transported to Troop G, where he was processed on the following charges:
CGS 14-220(a); Operating Motor Vehicle at Slow Speed
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 29-38; Illegal Possession of Weapon in a Motor Vehicle
Mondragon was later released from custody on a $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear at Stamford Superior Court on 02/18/25. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
