News Summary
A man was arrested in Berlin, Connecticut, after crashing into a parked Connecticut Department of Transportation vehicle in a construction zone on Route 9. The driver, Brian Ayers, was reportedly under the influence and has been charged with multiple offenses, including endangering highway workers. Fortunately, the DOT worker involved only suffered minor pain. This incident raises ongoing concerns about safety in construction zones as summer roadwork intensifies.
Berlin, Connecticut – Drunk Driver Crashes into DOT Vehicle in Construction Zone
In Berlin, Connecticut, a man was arrested Thursday night after crashing into a Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) vehicle situated in a construction zone along Route 9. The incident occurred just after 9:15 p.m. close to exit 34, during a period of active roadwork.
Details of the Incident
At the time of the crash, the left lane of Route 9 and the exit 34 off-ramp were closed to traffic to facilitate construction activities. According to police reports, a CT DOT supervisor’s vehicle was parked with emergency safety lights activated to warn approaching drivers of the work ahead.
The driver of an approaching vehicle, identified as Brian Ayers, 46 years old from New Haven, attempted to slow down as he approached the parked vehicle. Despite this, police state that Ayers’ vehicle rear-ended the DOT supervisor’s car, which was stationary in the construction zone. Investigators noted that Ayers’ vehicle veered into the construction area before the collision.
Injuries and Immediate Response
Fortunately, the DOT worker involved reported only minor pain following the incident. Emergency personnel responded swiftly to the scene and evaluated the worker, who did not require hospitalization.
Meanwhile, Ayers did not report any injuries but was observed behaving in a manner consistent with intoxication. Police reports indicate that Ayers was extremely unsteady on his feet, and officers detected the smell of alcohol emanating from his vehicle.
State Police Investigation and Arrest
Through field sobriety tests, law enforcement confirmed that Ayers was under the influence of alcohol. An open alcoholic beverage was found inside his vehicle, further supporting the suspicion of intoxication. Consequently, Ayers was placed under arrest on multiple charges, including:
- Endangering highway workers
- Driving under the influence in a construction zone
- Reckless endangerment
- Failure to maintain proper lane
Ayers was released on a $5,000 bond after his arrest and is scheduled to appear in court on July 31.
Response and Broader Context
The Connecticut State Police responded promptly to the scene, with personnel assigned to the ongoing construction project at the location of the crash. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in active construction zones, particularly as roadwork intensifies during the summer months.
In 2023, there have been 33 reported incidents in Connecticut involving construction workers being struck in work zones, underscoring the dangers faced by highway workers and the importance of driver vigilance.
National and Local Significance
This event serves as a reminder of the critical need for drivers to exercise caution when passing through construction areas. Authorities emphasize the importance of complying with posted speed limits and remaining attentive to workers and equipment in active work zones to prevent accidents and injuries.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Injuries Reported Following Vehicle Crash on Munson Way: Legal Insights
Major Bridge Replacement Project on Route 207
Two Construction Workers Injured in Elkhart Accident
Two Construction Workers Injured in Elkhart Roadwork Accident
Additional Resources
- Fox61 News
- Wikipedia: Construction Zone Safety
- WFSB News
- Google Search: CT DOT accidents
- CT Post
- Google Scholar: Construction Worker Safety
- New Haven Register
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction Zone Safety Measures
- JSONline News
- Google News: Worker Accidents Construction Zones
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RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
