State police charged former Bristol officer Robert Mosback with DUI Thursday.
The arrest came more than five months after the June 26 crash when Mosback, 38, slammed his cruiser into a utility pole.
The power was knocked out at Ramona Jenkins' home that night. She says the accident caused damage to several homes and businesses. "They probably should have got him that night because if he was drunk or if he had alcohol on his breath you can't tell me they didn't smell it," said Jenkins.
Mosback reported for work at 11 p.m. that night, and was on duty 22 minutes later when the crash occurred, according to state police.
Mosback was injured in the wreck, and taken to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. The City of Bristol was notified that a claim submitted relating to the accident was denied to to medical information uncovered making the claim not eligible, investigators said.
In October, the State's Attorney asked the State Police Major Crime Squad to take over in the investigation.
After conducting numerous interviews and seizing evidence connected to the Mosback and the crash, police filed for an arrest warrant.
Mosback turned himself in to state police Thursday morning.
Bristol Mayor Art Ward said it's a sad day for the department. "It is because whenever the department is affected like this it has an affect on everyone," said Mayor Ward.
The independent investigation continues into whether there was wrongdoing the night of the accident.
In his October letter to the public safety commissioner, Mayor Ward wrote that the police chief said to him, "I don't doubt there was a cover up but nobody would be able to prove it."
"We have ongoing investigation being conducted within the police department itself," said Ward. Asked if he thought there was a cover up, Mayor Ward said, "That's to be determined by the results of the investigation."
He was released on $5,000 bond and will be in court on Dec. 14.
