Driver Admits to Drinking Beer and Speeding at Over 120 MPH

A driver in Connecticut was caught traveling at 122 mph, and during the stop, he admitted to pulling over specifically to drink a beer. The incident occurred early Sunday morning on I-84 West in West Hartford.

Mariah Martinez, a Connecticut State Police spokesperson, explained that the driver, Carlos Gallegos-Loja, 23, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was initially spotted by officers around 1 a.m. after he pulled his Chevrolet Traverse over on the highway. All occupants were outside the vehicle at the time, and the car left before police returned to check on them.

Shortly afterward, a different trooper observed the same vehicle speeding at 122 mph in a 65-mph zone and failing to stay in lane, several miles away. When pulled over, Gallegos-Loja showed signs of intoxication, including slow movements and speech. Police also found open alcohol containers in the vehicle, and the driver confirmed he stopped to drink a beer before speeding off.

He failed field sobriety tests and was arrested on the spot. When asked why he stopped initially, Gallegos-Loja explained he pulled over to have a beer and then continued driving westbound. He was subsequently charged with reckless driving, DUI, operating without insurance, improper lane use, illegal parking, driving without a license, and drinking while driving.

Gallegos-Loja was released on a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on July 15.