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Connecticut State Police Sergeant Faces DUI Charges After Crash

A Connecticut State Police sergeant has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in connection with a vehicle crash that took place in September.

Sgt. John McDonald

Sgt. John McDonald

Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Sgt. John McDonald, 37, was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 19, for allegedly driving his assigned state vehicle when he ran a stop sign in Oxford and hit another car with two people inside. All three people involved in the crash were injured, said the Connecticut State Police.

The Southbury Police Department responded to the crash and said in their accident report that McDonald was "swaying back and forth while on a cell phone," and he appeared "injured or drunk." 

In addition, the report says McDonald kept walking into the roadway and saying over and over, "I'm a sergeant with the state police," the report says.

According to the crash report, an off-duty volunteer firefighter on the scene told officers that "that guy is definitely hammered, he is not listening to me to stay out of the roadway."

McDonald, who has been with the agency for 13 years, has been on paid administrative suspension since Nov. 14, said the state police.

The arrest of McDonald was the result of a comprehensive investigation by the state police with outside supervision and guidance provided the State’s Attorney Office in Middletown, state police said.

McDonald was charged with assault with a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor or drugs, reckless driving, and failure to obey stop sign.

Following his arrest, McDonald was taken to Troop I in Bethany, processed, and released on a court-ordered written promise to appear. 

He is scheduled to appear on Monday, Dec. 2, for his arraignment.

An internal affairs investigation is underway.

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