Meriden city manager on leave after DUI charge following wrong-way, rollover crash
Meriden City Manager Tim Coon was arrested on a DUI charge Wednesday after Connecticut State Police said he was driving on the wrong side of the highway when he left the road and rolled his vehicle over.
Coon, 63, reportedly failed multiple field sobriety tests following an accident on Route 3 in East Hartford at about 1:50 a.m., according to state police. He did not report any injuries.
Meriden city officials released a statement on Thursday indicating the city and Coon have mutually agreed he will “take time away from city hall to focus on his health and address the incident.”
“The city council is taking this time to gather pertinent information to address this matter during the next scheduled council meeting next Monday, May 1,” Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati, city council leadership and the city’s legal department said in a joint statement.
Meriden Fire Chief Ken Morgan will serve as acting city manager in the interim, officials said.
“I want to apologize to everyone in Meriden for my actions,” Coon said in a statement. “I have let all of you down. I have received strong support from the city council and others throughout the city. And for that, I am truly thankful.
“I am not resigning nor has the City Council asked for my resignation.”
State police said they received a 911 call at about 1:50 a.m. Wednesday reporting a driver heading north in the southbound lanes of Route 3. While troopers were on their way, they learned the motorist entered the Route 2 off-ramp and left the road as he was negotiating a curve and struck a stump.
State police said the car rolled over and came to rest in the median. Coon, state police said, agreed to perform multiple field sobriety tests at the scene, which he failed. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to drive in proper lane and driving the wrong way on a divided highway. He was freed without having to post bail and is expected to be arraigned in Manchester Superior Court on May 30.
Coon said he is seeking assistance from the city’s Employee Assistance Program “in dealing with the root cause and the aftermath of this incident.”