Motorist Charged With DUI After Danbury Car Fire

DANBURY, Conn. – A New Fairfield man was charged with DUI after he had to be awakened and extricated from his burning car Friday, police said.

A New Fairfield man was charged with DUI following a car fire in Danbury.
Photo Credit: *Jes Siart*

by Jes Siart

01/28/2013 1:30 p.m.

Officers found Robert Slodowski, 58, asleep in his Jeep Grand Cherokee at the McDonald’s on Padanaram Road, police said. Smoke coming from the vehicles hood and locked doors, they said.

Unsuccessfully attempting to awaken Slodowski by banging on the windows, the officers smashed a rear window as the car and surrounding area began to fill with smoke, police said.

Slodowski then awoke but was unable to get out of the vehicle, and the officers had to smash the driver’s side window to get him out of the car.

The officers said he noticed an odor of alcohol on Slodowski’s breath. They arrested Slodowski after he refused to take sobriety tests, police said.

Slodowski was charged with DUI and operating without a license, police said. He was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 6.

One of the responding officers was treated for smoke inhalation.

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