Two High Readings And One Refusal

By Kate Ward

This past week, between East Hampton Town and Village police, five people were charged with driving while intoxicated, two of whom were involved in motor vehicle accidents that are detailed elsewhere.

On Sunday, June 17, at 4:30 PM, East Hampton Village police arrested Sara Catherine Buchan, 32, of Sag Harbor, on a misdemeanor charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated. Buchan, who was driving a 2002 Volkswagen coming from Main Beach on Ocean Avenue was pulled over for alleged erratic driving. The police said she failed all roadside tests, including a breath test of an alleged .32 of one percent.

Police took Buchan back to headquarters, where they had her perform an Intoxilyzer 9000 breath test, which police said produced a reading of .27. above the .18 reading that changes the charge to an aggravated level. She was arraigned on June 18 and released without bail.

On Thursday, June 13, a little before midnight, East Hampton Town police arrested Shawn Hewitt, 48, of Woodside and Montauk, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Hewitt, who was driving a gold 2007 Chevrolet on Shore Road in Montauk, allegedly failed to dim his headlights for an oncoming police car.

After pulling Hewitt over, police had him perform field sobriety tests, which they said he failed. He reportedly told the officer, “I can’t do that when I’m sober.”

After being arrested, Hewitt reportedly refused to take a breath test at police headquarters. The police charged him with DWI, unlicensed driving, and failure to dim his headlights. The following morning, Rita Bonicelli represented Hewitt for his arraignment. East Hampton Town Justice Steven Tekulsky said that Hewitt has a prior felony conviction for leaving the scene of an accident, which resulted in a six-month incarceration. Bail was set and posted at $2000.

On Sunday, June 17, just past 2 AM, town police arrested Milton Barbecho-Chillpi, 28, of Springs. Barbecho-Chillpi, who was driving a gray 2010 Toyota Corolla on Muir Boulevard, allegedly failed to keep right, and reportedly told the arresting officer that he had consumed “two Coronas.” After his arrest, Barbecho-Chillpi took a breath test which came up with a reading of .17, which is just short of the aggravated level. The police charged him with DWI and unlicensed driving. Bail was set and posted at $200.