13-02-2025
CT man charged with DWI in crash that left pedestrian with broken ribs, cracked vertebrae
A man was arrested on a DWI charge last week in Wallingford after police claimed that he struck a pedestrian who suffered broken ribs, cracked vertebrae and a concussion.
The crash occurred last Friday in the area of 76 Center St. where officers responded on a report of a pedestrian being struck, according to Officer Alex Torres of the Wallingford Police Department.
Traffic Division officers who were working under a state DUI grant responded to the area and found that a 52-year-old woman was hit by a gray Chevrolet Silverado being driven by 64-year-old Carlton J. Brechlin of Wallingford, Torres said. Police found that Brechlin was heading east on Center Street when he struck the woman as she was crossing the road.
According to Torres, the pedestrian was taken to an area hospital where she was diagnosed with three cracked vertebrae, eight broken ribs and a concussion.
Officers alleged that Brechlin showed signs of being intoxicated. Officers who spoke to him reprotedly learned that he had consumed alcohol at a restaurant just east of where the crash occurred, according to Torres.
Brechlin reportedly smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test, Torres said. He was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated, operating a vehicle with unsafe tires and harm to a vulnerable person on a public highway.
