State police are cracking down on drunk drivers near CT's two casinos, after an increase in alcohol-related crashes.
They arrested 10 people over the weekend for driving drunk on roads near Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. They say not all of those people were at the casinos, but they hope the increased enforcement sends a message to casino crowds.
"Basically if you're going to consume alcohol, don't get behind the wheel of a car," said Lt. Paul Vance, of the state police.
Seven of the drunk driving arrests happened Saturday night and three of them were on Sunday, said Vance.
The targeted effort comes after recent alcohol-related crashes. Back in March, Connecticut College student Elizabeth Durante died after her van was hit by a man driving the wrong way on I-395. The suspect told police he'd been drinking at Mohegan Sun. Earlier this month, a suspected drunk driver hit and killed Iris Soto of Willimantic, also on I-395.
"Certainly it sends a very clear message," said Lt. Vance. "We know when we take one person into custody that other people know that we're out there. Other people know that we're looking and watching and hopefully it makes people voluntarily comply with the laws here in Connecticut."
Nearby residents welcome the crackdown. "I think it's excellent," said Betty Markham of Uncasville, who says she was the victim of a drunk driving crash in that area years ago.
Mohegan Sun declined to comment on this issue. We have not heard back from Foxwoods.
State police said their increased patrols near both casinos will continue.
