Wilton PD Charges Man With DUI, Twice, In Same Spot, 2 Days Later

WILTON, CT — Police stopped a motorist on two separate occasions for driving erratically near the same intersection last week, and he gave a different home address each time.

On Wednesday, Wilton police responded to a 911 call about of a silver GMC Sierra truck crossing the double yellow lines and driving into oncoming traffic in the area of Danbury Road and Westport Road.

Police said the motorist, Jose Merino-Mejia, 42, was "exhibiting several indicators that he was under the influence of alcohol," and "there was a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Merino-Mejia's breath" as well as his truck. Merino-Mejia gave police an address on Lexington Avenue in Norwalk as his home. Police gave the driver standard field sobriety tests, which he failed, according to their report. An investigation of the truck revealed "an opened and still cold Coors Light beer in the center console approximately half full, and a 12-pack of Coors Light beer cans with only six beers remaining. A receipt was located in the 12-pack showing that the beer was purchased a few hours prior," according to the police report.

Police brought Merino-Mejia to Wilton Police HQ, where they say his blood alcohol concentration was measured at 0.3070, above the legal limit of 0.08. He was charged with DUI, driving with a suspended license, failure to return his license, failure to maintain a proper lane, and drinking alcohol while driving.

Two days later police were called to the same intersection of Danbury Road and Westport Road shortly after 8 p.m. where they say they again found Merino-Mejia driving erratically while under the influence of alcohol. This time police say the investigation of his truck turned up "an opened and still cold Coors Light beer in the center console approximately 1/4 full, a 12-pack of Coors Light beer cans with 10 beers remaining, and an open bottle of Bacardi Rum."

Merino-Mejia, who this time gave police a home address on Newtown Turnpike in Weston, again failed standard field sobriety tests, according to the report. During processing, Merino-Mejia's blood alcohol concentration was found to be a 0.3068. He was charged with the same crimes as he was two days earlier.

Merino-Mejia was issued a promise to appear for his first arrest, and released on a $500 bond in his second go-round. He is scheduled to appear before Stamford Superior Court on Oct. 6.