State PD Sergeant Drank Several Beers Before Driving: Warrant

SOUTHBURY, CT — State police have arrested one of their own after a sergeant was involved in an off-duty crash while under the influence of alcohol in his state-issued cruiser, according to an arrest warrant.

Surveillance video from Black Hog Brewing Company shows Sgt. John McDonald consuming what appeared to be eight beers in less than three hours, according to the arrest warrant. He then bought two more apparent beers and took them to the outside area of the establishment and returned about a half an hour later with two empty glasses. He then ordered three more glasses of beer, but knocked one over. It isn't known if McDonald consumed the additional five glasses of beer.

The story was first reported by the Republican-American newspaper, which has reported that several State police personnel were at a retirement party at the brewery. Police have launched an internal investigation.

McDonald was arrested Tuesday after a more than 50-day investigation into a crash that injured a mother and daughter on Sept. 25. He ran a stop sign and hit the other car, police said. He has been on paid administrative leave since Nov. 14.

The investigation included several search and seizure warrants and interviewing several witnesses.

McDonald, 37, is charged with second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, reckless driving and failure to obey a stop sign.

A Southbury police officer was the first law enforcement member on scene and noted that McDonald appeared to be injured or drunk because he kept swaying back and forth outside of his vehicle. When asked if he was ok he replied, "I am a sergeant with State police," according to an arrest warrant.

Ambulance records noted that McDonald was on Zoloft, according to the warrant. The medicine can increase the side effects of drinking alcohol.

A State police trooper who was investigating the crash scene was going to head to the hospital to see McDonald, but was told by another trooper that he had left prior to any detailed treatment.

An analysis by crash reconstruction noted that McDonald's vehicle crashed into the other vehicle at a speed of 71 mph five seconds before the crash and applied the brake four seconds before the crash. He collided at around 47 mph.

The crash injured Lisa Conroy and her daughter Madison Conroy. The two are suing McDonald, the state and Black Hog Brewing Company's owners.