Man Flees Crash Scene In Wallingford — With His Pet Chihuahua, Police Say

July 16--Police arrested an uninsured, drunken driver who they said fled the scene of a weekend Wallingford crash -- with his Chihuahua.

Jonathan Quinones, 21, of Old Colony Road in Meriden was arrested early Saturday and charged with driving while intoxicated, driving too close and evading responsibility, police said.

He also was charged with misuse of marker plates, failure to maintain insurance and operating a motor vehicle without a license -- the last charge stems from the fact he lacks a valid driver's license, Lt. Cheryl Bradley said.

Both the driver and passenger of the 2016 Jeep Renegade he struck were taken to the MidState Medical Center for treatment, police said. Both Carmelita Pestana, 47, and her 23-year-old passenger were expected to survive their injuries.

According to police, shortly before 12:30 a.m., Pestana pulled out of a driveway on North Colony Road and headed north when she was struck from behind by a Nissan Altima driven by Quinones. The dog was in the car with him.

The collision happened on North Colony Road near the intersection with Center and Quinnipiac streets, police said. Both cars came to a rest in a parking lot at 11 South Colony Road.

A Wallingford officer on patrol came upon the crash scene, which Quinones fled, carrying his dog. Police said officers saturated the area and found Quinones a short time later on Washington Street, about a mile north of the crash site -- his pet Chihuahua in his arms.

He posted $5,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Meriden July 27, police said.

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