On Tuesday, 11/19/24 at approximately 7:50 PM, Troop H- Hartford received multiple 911 calls reporting erratic operation on a vehicle traveling southbound on I-91 near exit 24 in Wethersfield. As Troopers were responding, the operator of the vehicle had pulled over to the shoulder near exit 21 in Cromwell with no lights illuminated. One of the 911 callers pulled over ahead of the vehicle to ensure it did not continue on. This witness provided Troop H with the vehicle's description, being a silver Volvo XC90 SUV. The witness also assisted Troopers with the investigation by returning to the scene and providing a statement of their observations pertaining to the Volvo's erratic operation.
The witness reported to Troopers that the vehicle had passed them near exit 24, with no lights illuminated. The witness reported the vehicle failing to maintain its lane, making unsafe lane changes and nearly striking other vehicles.
Troopers made contact with the operator of the Volvo, who was positively identified as Michelle Bullett (DOB 03/17/88), of Hartford. Bullett was located in the driver's seat of the vehicle with the keys in the ignition and the engine running. Troopers also observed three (3) minor children (ages 3, 9 and 17) in the vehicle along with a canine, none of whom were secured in appropriate child safety restraint systems. While speaking with Bullett, Troopers observed clear signs of impairment to include the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Bullett's person and glossy and bloodshot eyes. Troopers asked Bullett if she had consumed alcohol prior to driving, to which Bullett explained that she had not. Further investigation on scene determined that Bullett's license privilege was suspended, the registration plate on the Volvo SUV belonged to another vehicle, the Volvo SUV was unregistered and uninsured.
Based upon these observations, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing was administered. Upon asking Bullett to step out of her vehicle, Troopers observed that Bullett had difficulty maintaining her balance and used the left side of her vehicle for support as she walked towards the rear. Bullett agreed to submit to testing and subsequently failed.
Bullett was arrested without incident and transported to Troop H, where she was processed for the following charges:
CGS 14-12(a)*; Operating/Parking an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
CGS 14-147(c); Misuse of Registration Plate
CGS 14-213b; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Without Minimum Insurance
CGS 14-215; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension
CGS 14-227a; Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs
CGS 14-227m(c)(1); OUI w/Child Passenger (3 counts)
CGS 14-236; Failure to Maintain Proper Lane- Limited Access Highway
Chemical testing later conducted at Troop H revealed Bullett's blood alcohol content to be in excess of the legal limit. Bullett later admitted to consuming alcohol after she was arrested and advised of her Constitutional rights. The children in Bullett's vehicle were safely transported off of the highway and the Department of Children and Families was advised of this incident. Bullett was later released from custody on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 12/09/24. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
