Cop Drunk at Time of Crash, Records Show

A Bristol police officer resigned as he faced possible termination, three months after crashing his cruiser on the job. State records show he was drunk at the time of the crash.

Now, Bristol's mayor is requesting a state police investigation into the crash and a possible police cover up.

Bristol police never arrested officer Robert Mosback after the June 26 incident on Riverside Avenue in Bristol, where Mosback crashed into a utility pole while speeding.

The crash knocked out power to hundreds of homes and businesses and caused more than $100,000 in damages.

Instead, Mosback returned to his job. The city finally caught on after a workers comp investigation uncovered blood test results from Mosback's post-crash medical treatment, indicating his blood alcohol level was .15, which is nearly twice the legal limit.

In a denial notice filed on September 27 with the state workers compensation commission, the city's insurer wrote, "the incident arose due to employee's willful misconduct (intoxication)."

Bristol mayor Art Ward is now asking state police to investigate the accident and how the police department handled it. In his letter, Ward quotes Bristol Police Chief John DiVenere as saying, "I don't doubt there was a cover up but nobody would be able to prove it."

"This is one of the reasons we're moving forward with the investigation. We feel that the citizens of the City of Bristol need to maintain a level of confidence within our police department," Ward said.

In his letter to state police, Ward also points out Mosback was treated at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, even though the accident occurred in Bristol, and that an internal affairs report falsely shows the treatment occurred at Bristol Hospital.

He also mentions that no one in lineup that night reported anything unusual about Mosbeck's behavior, and that at least two officers assisted him at the crash scene. The letter shows Mosback was not asked if he consumed any alcoholic beverages before starting his shift.

Mosback received only a written warning for speeding, the letter states.

Chief DiVenere did not respond to our requests for comment.

Facing possible termination after the discovery of his blood alcohol level, Mosback submitted his handwritten resignation last week.

The incident, and possible police cover up, has angered residents.

"Nobody should be drunk driving but if it were a normal person they would have been arrested," said Kim Smith of Bristol.

"He should have never got a free pass. I am shocked on that. He's supposed to show an example," said Guy Albert of Bristol.

The state police investigation, if conducted, will determine if Mosback will face criminal charges and whether any other officers will face disciplinary action, said Ward. He's hoping to get a response from state police on his request soon.

Contact Us