Patrick McGowan of Rye, N.Y. was arrested for driving while intoxicated around 4 a.m. on August 5, police said. An officer parked on the Post Road near Thorndal Circle observed McGowan's 2001 Audi A6 heading east on the Post Road and then heading west shortly after. The officer followed McGowan, 22, who approached a flashing yellow light at the intersection of the Post Road and Hecker Ave and stopped. After more than a minute at the light, police said McGowan made eye contact with the officer, who was next to him at light and appeared startled. Police said McGowan made confused, inaudible sounds when the officer questioned him. After failing a field sobriety test, he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. A $500 bond was posted and a court date set for August 16.
Later the same day, Itta Bashan, 62, was driving a 2006 Honda Civic west on the Post Road near Noroton Avenue around 5:40 p.m. when a Darien resident called police to report a possible drunk driver. The caller said Bashan's vehicle hit the curb and sidewalk several times and police said when officers drove down the Post Road, people on the sidewalks were pointing in the direction Bashan was driving. Police caught up with the caller and Bashan just over the Stamford line, where they saw that Bashan's vehicle had a flat right front tire which was being driven on the rim. Bashan tried to open the door of the vehicle and could not, and police noticed a strong odor of alcohol. They later found a half-empty 750mL bottle of wine on the floor of the front passenger seat. Bashan failed a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest. A $250 bond was posted, and a court date set for August 16.
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