Date: Fri 13-Mar-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Varese-drunk-driving

Full Text:

Newtown State Rep. Charged With Drunk Driving

BRIDGEPORT (AP) -- A state lawmaker who police said crashed into five parked

cars shortly after leaving a strip bar has been charged with driving under the

influence of alcohol.

State Rep William J. Varese, who sits on the General Assembly's Judiciary

Committee, was arrested Monday evening. Police said the 50-year-old attorney

crashed his 1995 Cadillac sedan into the cars after leaving Bishop's Corner, a

Bridgeport strip bar. Rep Varese represents the 112th District in the state

legislature. Southeastern Newtown is in that district.

Rep Varese, a Republican from Monroe, smashed into a parked car immediately

after leaving the bar. The impact knocked the car into two pedestrians,

injuring one of them, authorities said.

The report said Rep Varese left the scene of the accident and then lost

control of the Cadillac again a short time later, this time smashing into four

cars parked along the street.

The crash inflated the air bags in Rep Varese's car. Witnesses said he

squeezed out of the car and sat down on the sidewalk, holding his head in his

hands.

Rep Varese, who has been a vocal opponent of lowering the state blood-alcohol

level, was arrested after police administered sobriety tests.

He was released on $2,000 bond, pending arraignment March 23 in Bridgeport

Superior Court.

Janice Heggie, executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in

Connecticut, said Rep Varese was an outspoken opponent of MADD's effort to

lower the blood-alcohol level for DUI arrests from 0.10 to 0.08. She said he

was very critical of MADD's effort during a Feb. 20 legislative hearing on the

proposal.

"He crucified us," Heggie told The Connecticut Post. "It's just so ironic."