40°
James Reilly, 21, was driving a 1999 Chevy Blazer on Hanson Road the night of Aug. 20 when the vehicle drove off the right side of the roadway, struck a stone wall and slammed into a tree, police said. The crash caused major damage to the right side of the vehicle, and was so severe that the front seat passenger was ejected from the car, according to police.
The vehicle then careened across both lanes of Hanson Road, hitting a second tree on the shoulder of the road, where it ultimately came to a rest, police said.
Police said the ejected passenger was taken to Stamford Hospital and treated with very serious injuries. A rear seat passenger also suffered facial injuries and was taken to the hospital.
The Darien Police Accident Investigation Team was called to the scene to investigate. Police said that the A.I.T. was able to secure a search warrant for Reilly's medical records from the night of the accident and determined that his blood alcohol content was significantly over the legal limit, police said. A warrant was issued for is arrest.
After learning of the warrant, Reilly turned himself in at Darien Police headquarters Friday morning. He was charged with two counts of second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated, reckless operation of a vehicle and improper turn.
Reilly posted $35,000 bond and was released. He will appear in court on Oct. 3.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Darien and receive free news updates.
