The Speaker of the House has removed State Rep. Robin Comey from all committee and leadership assignments until further notice after she was charged with operating under the influence following a rollover crash in Hartford Thursday night.
State Rep. Robin Comey. 55, of Branford, was arrested just after 7 p.m. Thursday after Hartford police responded to a crash on Capitol Avenue and the police report says she “reeked of alcoholic beverages” and was stumbling.
The Hartford police report says an officer was called to help patrol officers after Comey’s Honda Civic rolled over in the middle of the road and she “reeked of alcoholic beverages,” could not stay focused when she was spoken to and was losing her balance and stumbling to catch herself.
According to the police report, Comey was smoking a cigarette and signed a form refusing for medical personnel to transport her to a hospital.
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When police asked Comey what happened, she said “I don’t know, I was heading home,” according to police.
Officers noted that Comey’s speech was slow and she appeared to have difficulty forming sentences but said she was coming from a restaurant down the street.
When asked what she had for dinner, she said, “I didn’t have anything for dinner,” the police report says.
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Comey failed a field sobriety test and was arrested and charged with operating under the influence, according to police.
Police said they conducted breath tests and the first test, done at 8:19 p.m., came back with a blood alcohol content of .1446 and the second one, done at 8:39 p.m., showed a blood alcohol content of .14.
Comey’s license was seized, to be mailed back after the statutory revocation period, according to police.
Residents and business owners near the scene of the crash said it sounded like an explosion.
"It was kind of shocking to see such a major accident and someone just walk away from it like that," Amber Binford, of Hartford, said.
"I saw parts flying, but her car was upside down," Michael James, a business owner, said.
Comey was elected in 2018 to represent the 102nd House District.
"This was an extremely dangerous situation and somebody could have been seriously injured, including Rep. Comey. I want to thank Hartford Police for their quick response,” Speaker of the House Matt Ritter said in a statement.
"My immediate reaction is to think about Rep. Comey’s next steps. I hope she focuses on her health and wellbeing and I know that her friends and colleagues will support her in any way we can,” Ritter added.
"In light of the seriousness of this situation, I am immediately removing Rep. Comey from all committee and leadership assignments until further notice," Ritter said.
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