Police: Illegal Passing on Elm Street led to a DUI Arrest

The following information was supplied by the Monroe Police Department. No arrested person is guilty until so judged in a court of law.

A Shelton man was arrested for drunken driving at 5:32 p.m. Sunday after police say an officer saw him drive his '02 Acura MDX past a vehicle on the left as the other driver waited at a stop sign at the intersection of Elm and Church streets.

The officer pulled over the driver, Joseph Reis, 24, of Shelter Rock Drive, directing him to park on Bug Hill Road, according to the report. Police said Reis told the officer he was in a rush to get to a family member's house because he was having a medical issue, but police added that he was unable to give the officer an address.

Police said the officer detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on Reis, but had called Monroe EMS personnel to check on his medical condition. EMS determined Reis did not have the medical condition he claimed to have, according to police, who said Reis refused any medical treatment.

Field sobriety tests determined Reis was under the influence, leading to his arrest, police said, adding Reis refused to participate in breath tests at police headquarters.

Reis was charged with DUI, passing in a no passing zone and failure to drive in the proper lane. He was released on $500 bond for a May 7 court date.