A Cromwell man was charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol on April 21 after police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car while it was stopped at a green light at the intersection of Main Street and St. John’s Square.
Police say Richard A. Giuffrida, 34, was sitting at the wheel of his black Honda Civic with his eyes closed,and appeared to be asleep. The car was stopped at a green light, police said.
An officer knocked several times, and loudly, on the driver’s side window of the car, but was unable to waken Giuffrida. The officer then opened up the driver’s side door and woke him up.
When asked to produce his license, police said, Giuffrida first handed officers cash from his wallet and then his bank card before he was able to find his license, which police said was “in plain view” in his wallet.
Police administered a field sobriety test, which they said Giuffrida failed.
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