An off-duty Bristol police officer happened to be in the right place at the right time, when he witnessed a hit-and-run accident, followed the driver from Bristol into Warren, and led on-duty officers to a Warren home and an eventual arrest for drunk driving and other charges.

Patrolman Keith Medeiros was off-duty at the intersection of Gooding Avenue and Broadcommon Road at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19, when he saw a gray Toyota hit a black Ford while the Toyota was attempting to turn from Gooding onto Broadcommon. According to Officer Medeiros, the driver of the Toyota put the car in reverse and then drove away north on Broadcommon. The officer followed from behind and called into dispatch.

Officer Medeiros reported that he saw the Toyota drive through two Stop signs, nearly causing at least one additional accident, drive left of the center lane, and leave the side of the road and drive into a grassy area along Tupelo Street. He followed the car all the way to Maple Street in Warren, where it finally stopped.

At that time, two Bristol officers and one Warren officer arrived at the scene, where the car was parked and heavily damaged in the front end, and they saw Ignatius Frank Delekta, 64, of Port Charlotte, Fla., step out of the vehicle. Officer Michael Kelly took the lead in questioning Mr. Delekta and reported that, even through a face mask, he could smell a strong odor of alcohol. With Mr. Delekta’s consent, Officer Kelly administered several field sobriety tests, which the suspect allegedly failed.

He was brought back to the Bristol station and charged with leaving the scene of an accident-personal injury resulting, DUI, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.