Ridgefield High School football coach Kevin Callahan has been charged with driving under the influence in his hometown of Fairfield.
Callahan, 52, of Cherry Hill Road in Fairfield, who is also dean of students at Ridgefield High School and lead teacher of the physical education department, was charged with DUI and distracted driving, failure to drive right and failure to carry a valid insurance card in connection with an accident Sunday night on Fairfield Woods Road, according to a press report.
Fairfield Police were not available to release their report. The news came from the Fairfield Citizen, and a Ridgefield school official confirmed it was Callahan.
The report indicated Callahan was driving west on Fairfield Woods Road, and after going through the Stillson Road intersection, hit a traffic sign in the center of the road, and continued on and struck a tree on the side of the road. He allegedly told police he was looking at an incoming text message, according to the report.
Officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol and found a half-empty bottle of vodka in the car, according to the report.
Callahan was taken to a hospital with elevated blood pressure, where the report said he refused to have blood drawn or toxicology tests run.
He was released on a promise to appear May 18 at Bridgeport Superior Court.
The Press left a message at Callahan’s home for Callahan to answer questions about the case. He did not return the call.
Superintendent of Schools Deborah Low said at this point she does not have enough information to comment.
“In answer to your questions, we are looking into the situation,” Low said, in response to a reporter’s questions about school policies concerning DUI cases among staff members.