ANSONIA – An Ansonia Alderman charged with driving under the influence was on his phone when he made a right turn and crashed into a car stopped at a stop sign, according to a probable cause affidavit from police.
Alderman Mario Durante, 35, was also charged with operating an electronic device while driving, and failure to drive in the proper lane on Saturday (April 19). Durante has represented the city’s seventh ward since 2023.
The affidavit says an officer was called to the scene of an crash near Marshall Lane at around 5:28 p.m. Saturday. The officer spoke with Durante. Durante allegedly told the officer that he had been looking at his phone while turning right onto Schumacher Drive. Durante said he then crashed into a car that was stopped at a stop sign, according to the affidavit.
There is no information on the vehicle that was hit.
The officer said Durante was swaying back and forth during the interview. He then asked Durante to perform a field sobriety test, which he failed, according to police.
The officer said he also spoke to a witness who said he saw Durante’s car swerving on the road and then speed up taking the turn and hitting another vehicle.
Durante was issued a misdemeanor summons and given a court date of May 2. The Valley Indy sent a voicemail and text message requesting comment.
The affidavit was written by Ansonia Officer Edgar Gonzalez.
Ansonia’s Seventh Ward includes much of the eastern portion of the city, stretching from the border with Seymour’s Rimmon Road in the north, to the border with Derby’s Marshall Lane in the south. It includes parts of neighborhoods around Pulaski Highway, Benz Street, and Ford Street.