Thompson Man Arrested for DUI; Wrong Way Driver Following Traffic Stop on I-395 in Plainfield
- csppio
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
On Saturday, 09/13/25 at approximately 1:51 am, Troop D- Danielson began receiving 911 calls reporting a wrong way driver on I-395 in Plainfield. The 911 callers reported a white pickup truck traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-395 in the area of exit 28.
Troopers immediately responded to the area, and upon approaching exit 29 on I-395 southbound observed headlights traveling toward them within the left lane of I-395 southbound. Both initial responding Troopers activated their emergency lights, taking the left and right lanes to signal the operator to stop. The operator complied and came to a complete stop in the left shoulder of I-395 southbound.
Once safely stopped, Troopers made contact with the operator who was positively identified as Benjamin Benoit (DOB 03/21/2002), of Thompson. When Troopers made contact with Benoit, he was actively engaged in a phone call using a handheld cell phone. Additionally, the vehicle was determined to be a white Toyota Tacoma pickup, which matched the vehicle description per the 911 callers. The vehicle was also determined to be unregistered. While speaking with Benoit, Troopers observed clear signs of impairment, to include slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person.
Benoit had difficulty comprehending the fact that he was driving on the wrong side of the highway. Based upon these observations, Benoit was requested to submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.
Benoit agreed to submit to testing and subsequently failed to perform the tests to standard. Benoit was arrested without incident and transported to Troop D, where he was processed on the following charges:
CGS 14-12(a)*; Operating/Parking an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
CGS 14-227a; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs
CGS 14-237; Driving the Wrong Way on a Divided Highway
CGS 14-296aa(b1st; Illegal Use of a Handheld Electronic Device While Operating a Motor Vehicle
Chemical testing later conducted at Troop D revealed that Benoit had a blood alcohol content of more than three times the legal limit.
Benoit was later released from custody on a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear at Danielson Superior Court on 9/26/25. Please see the attached video and criminal information summary.
