Driver charged with DUI after striking snowbank, vehicle

TORRINGTON >> A Torrington man was recently arrested and charged with driving under the influence after he allegedly drove into a snowbank and rear-ended another vehicle, according to police.

Donald A. Steele, 36, of 65 Heritage Way, was arrested March 25 and charged with illegally operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs and following too closely, non-commercial vehicle.

The arrest took place after an officer responded to a report of a two-car accident on East Main Street just before 3 p.m. March 25.

After arriving on scene, the officer spoke with Steele, who said he was not intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics, according to the report.

“(H)owever, Steele had a difficult time maintaining his balance while I spoke to him. Steele swayed back and forth and attempted to support himself against his vehicle to keep upright,” the officer wrote in the report. “While speaking to him, I did not detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage but I noticed his eyes were glossed over and blood shot.”

A witness told police that they saw a Ford Explorer — the vehicle operated by Steele — swerve into the right lane from the left lane at the Torringford Street entrance to the WalMart plaza, “cutting off cas that were in the right travel lane,” then traveling on into the Stop & Shop parking lot.

“The Ford Explorer proceeded down the driveway and struck a large snow embankment (on) the right side of the road at a high rate of speed, throwing snow everywhere. The vehicle proceeded down the driveway and stopped at the stop sign and made a right turn,” wrote the officer in the report, recounting the witness’ statement. “As the vehicle approached the East Main Street entrance, it swerved into the other lane and rear ended Vehicle 2. The Ford Explorer then started to back up as if the operator was attempting to leave but the driver from Vehicle 2 got out and told him to stay. Witness 1 said the operator of the Ford Explorer (Steele) had difficulty exiting his vehicle which included opening the door and stumbling while getting out.”

Steele told police that he had trouble keeping his balance because his spine was fused, with rods and plates in his back, and he was on medication to treat nerve damage.

Steele “did not perform to standard” on field sobriety tests, according to police, and was taken into custody.

The officer wrote he observed that Steele, after being brought to the station, did not seem to have issue walking or moving despite his earlier explanation for having issues with balancing.

Steele was released on $1,000 surety bond and scheduled to appear in Bantam Superior Court April 3.