DWI hearing looks for probable cause

NORWICH – A drunk driving court case held a hearing to determine if the arresting officer had just cause Friday.

Paul D. Lazzaro, a repeat offender with three prior driving while intoxicated convictions, has been charged with committing another DWI offense.

The prosecution called Road Patrol Sergeant Ted Ellingsen, from the Sheriff’s Office to testify to the events preceding the defendant’s arrest.

The deputy testified that at about 10:05 p.m., on Rt. 10, Pharsalia, a gray Chevy pick-up truck was traveling south. The officer said he followed the vehicle for 2 miles and claimed it crossed the center divide line repeatedly.

“He failed to stay on the right side of the center line and I counted him veering on or across it six to seven times. I waited until we came up on a clear area where I could pull him over safely and put on my lights,” said Ellingsen.

The pick-up had Lazzaro driving and his wife in the passenger seat. The officer testified that he smelled alcohol and then administered four separate field sobriety tests that Lazzaro allegedly failed.

Defense Attorney Jeffrey Leibo pointed out that his client was very tired and that in his testimony the officer acknowledged the fact that he believed Lazzaro to be intoxicated before he administered the test.