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Officers were on patrol in the area of East Putnam Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 16 around 11:30 p.m. when they observed a vehicle traveling eastbound.
The vehicle allegedly crossed over the double yellow line and drifted into the westbound lane, forcing an officer to swerve in order to avoid being hit.
A DMV inquiry of the vehicle also revealed that the registration had been expired since September of 2015.
Police conducted a traffic stop and immediately noticed that the driver, identified as 52-year-old William Hammel, had red eyes. The vehicle also smelled strongly of alcohol.
Hammel was asked to participate in a series of field sobriety tests, which he did not pass.
Hammel was arrested and charged with the following:
- Operating under the influence
- Failure to maintain lane
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle
Hammel was released after posting $250 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Monday, March 4.
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