NEW HAVEN, CT — A New Haven man with a blood alcohol content (BAC) more than three times the legal limit was arrested for driving the wrong way on Route 15 early Tuesday morning, according to Connecticut State Police. The New Haven DUI arrest occurred around 12:20 a.m. on May 20, when troopers responded to multiple 911 calls about a wrong-way driver near Exit 59.
The driver, identified as 27-year-old Juan Escalante, was located by authorities on the right shoulder of the northbound entrance ramp. Troopers reported that Escalante exhibited clear signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. He failed a field sobriety test at the scene.
A subsequent breathalyzer test revealed Escalante’s BAC exceeded three times the legal limit of 0.08%. Further investigation showed he was also operating without a valid driver’s license.
Escalante now faces multiple charges, including:
- Driving the Wrong Way on a Limited Access Highway
- Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
- Second-Degree Reckless Endangerment
- Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a License
He was taken into custody and held on a $10,000 bond after failing to post bail.
This New Haven DUI arrest is part of a growing concern over wrong-way driving incidents in Connecticut. In response, state officials have implemented new detection systems on highway ramps to prevent such dangerous occurrences.
Authorities continue to urge the public to report any wrong-way drivers immediately by calling 911.
