Police: Drunken Driver Runs Into Detective's Car

A man was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol Sunday night after allegedly crashing into the back of a detective’s car.

Police spokeswoman Sgt. Lisa Cotto said Det. Ryan Evarts was parked at the curb in front of 7 Fairfield Avenue when his unmarked car was struck. He radioed headquarters to report the offending car backed up and sped away.

Evarts pursued the car, which allegedly swerved nearly halfway into the oncoming lane of traffic before it stopped at Reed Street.

He reported pulling the driver out of the car and handcuffing him.

He said the man, later identified as Ruben Alejandro Leon, had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath and appeared dazed and confused.

Evarts was met at the scene by Officer Tyrone Boyd, who reported Leon denied crashing into anything. Boyd said Leon has slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.

Leon was taken to Police Headquarters where he failed three times to complete a field sobriety test, Cotto said. He also refused to sign a form stating he had been informed of his Miranda rights, and refused to have his blood-alcohol content tested, she said.

Besides the drunken driving charge, Leon was charged with evading responsibility and following too closely.

Leon gave police a Seattle address for his residence, although he allegedly said he’s been living in Connecticut for two years. As a result, he was also charged with operating a motor vehicle with an out of state license. A driver who moves to Connecticut must obtain a Connecticut driver’s license within 30 days of taking up residence here.

Leon was held on $2,000 bond and given a court date of Feb. 7.