HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Connecticut state representative was arrested and charged with operating under the influence following a rollover crash near the state capitol Thursday night.
Following her arrest, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) removed Comey from all committee and leadership assignments until further notice.
According to the incident report obtained by News 8, Rep. Robin Comey, a 55-year-old Democrat from Branford who represents the state’s 102nd District, overturned her black Honda Civic around 7:15 p.m. in the middle of 389 Capitol Ave., just a couple of blocks from the capitol.
Comey “reeked of alcoholic beverages and could not stay focused when being spoken,” according to the incident report.
An officer asked Comey where she was coming from, and she eventually said she was heading from a restaurant but did not say which one.
News 8 spoke with witnesses who said Comey left a nearby bar, sideswiped a car in the opposite lane, hit a dumpster, then a parked SUV back in her lane.
Police said she failed two field sobriety tests. The first showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1446 and the second revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1400, investigators said.
She was arrested and charged with operating under the influence.
Comey received medical attention from medical staff at the scene, according to the report, refusing to be taken to a hospital.
Ritter issued the following statement Friday morning:
Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford)“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.
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.
In light of the seriousness of this situation, I am immediately removing Rep. Comey from all committee and leadership assignments until further notice.”
News 8 reached out to Comey for comment on her arrest but has not heard back.
Comey was appointed Assistant Majority Whip in the 2023 legislative session for the Connecticut House Democrats.
In 2021, Comey was the subject of controversy when she was part of a group of lawmakers accused of drinking at the capitol in Hartford on House grounds. No charges were filed.
Comey released the following statement, apologizing for the controversy in 2021:
“I would like to sincerely apologize for my behavior last Thursday night. That evening, while speaking on H.B. 6558, I suddenly and unexpectedly began to feel unwell. This was due to several factors, including anxiety, exhaustion, and, regrettably, the wine I had with dinner. In an abundance of caution, I did not drive home and remained in Hartford until the following morning. This type of behavior is not typical for me. I take full responsibility for my error in judgment.”
The video above shows the community’s reaction to Comey’s arrest.
This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for details.
