Man Arrested For DUI, Teen Seriously Injured In Meriden Crash

MERIDEN, CT — A 17-year-old Maloney High School student is in critical condition following a car vs. pole crash Monday, according to police. The teen was sitting in the back seat and was ejected in the crash.

The driver of the vehicle, James Bailey, has been arrested after a field sobriety test found his blood-alcohol content was 1.5 times the legal limit of .08, according to police. He was charged with DUI, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, and second-degree assault with a motor vehicle.

Bailey is the teen passenger's foster father, according to police.

He was released after posting $200,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 15.

A front seat passenger in the crash was transported to Midstate Hospital with minor injuries.

Police said Bailey's Nissan Pathfinder was traveling north when it veered off the road and struck a telephone pole in front of 193 North Wall Street. After snapping the pole, the vehicle continued north and sideswiped another pole at 231 North Wall Street. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, according to police.

The impact of striking the second pole caused the back seat passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt, to be ejected from the vehicle, striking the telephone pole.

The crash remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Meriden Police Department at 203 630-6215.