Avon man busted drinking & driving with kids in car

AVON, Conn. (WTNH) -- An Avon man was arrested for driving while intoxicated after an elderly man saw him driving erratically in Massachusetts, told him he shouldn't be driving and called police.

The incident occurred just before 7 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 30th, near the intersection of Route 3A and Route 228.

After police were called, both the caller and the driver, 44-year-old Bradford Belding, pulled over to the side of the road.

When officers arrived, the 71-year-old caller told police he was driving behind the car, a 2003 BMW 325I, and it was "all over the road." When the drivers stopped at a red light he approached Belding and told him he should not be driving. Belding then pulled over and the caller pulled behind him with his hazard lights flashing.

Upon arrival, officers saw Belding and two children, ages 7 and 10, inside the BMW. The vehicle was still running and in "drive."

Police said Belding had extremely slurred speech, glassy eyes, smelled strongly of alcohol, and was swaying as he sat in the driver's seat.

Belding denied that he had been drinking and agreed to perform field sobriety tests. As he attempted to step out of the vehicle, he fell against the rear driver door and began stumbling. An officer grabbed him to prevent him from falling.

He then admitted he drank two beers.

Officers had to stop field sobriety tests for Belding's safety.

After placing Belding under arrest, police discovered an open water bottle in the front cup holder that smelled heavily of hard liquor. The bottle was seized as evidence.

The children were taken to the police station and picked up by their mother.

Belding, of 110 Mallard Dr., Avon, was charged with OUI of alcohol, two counts of OUI with child endangerment, driving with an open container of alcohol, driving to endanger, and driving with a suspended license.