At about 12:13am, on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown) were on patrol in the area of Charles and Mt. Vernon Streets when they heard what sounded like a car driving on a flat tire. Officers then observed a black motor vehicle driving, with a flat tire, the wrong way on a one way street. As a result of these observations, officers activated their emergency equipment (lights & sirens) and stopped the car. Upon speaking to the operator, officers quickly noted that the operator appeared to be intoxicated given his glassy eyes. When asked if he realized he was driving on a flat tire, the suspect was unable to provide a coherent explanation.
At this time, officers instructed the operator to exit the vehicle. While the suspect was exiting the car, officers observed a puddle of beer and a beer can on the floor of the car by the operator’s feet.
When asked if he had been drinking, the operator stated that he had had a couple of beers earlier in the evening. When asked to submit to a field sobriety test, the operator consented and failed.
Officers arrested Ryan Devens, 26, of Groton and charged him with Operating Under the Influence (Alcohol).