POWNAL — Vermont State Police arrested a man for driving under the influence early Saturday morning after he was found asleep behind the wheel of his car, which had slid off the road and over an embankment on Niles School Road in Pownal.
John F. Bryant, 53, of Williamstown, Massachusetts, had left a restaurant in his hometown en route to a residence on Old Military Road in Pownal.
A relative received a text message from Bryant, saying he needed help, but there was no further contact and no elaboration on what assistance he needed.
Sergeant Justin Walker arrived in the area and located the vehicle still running with Bryant laying in the front seat, appearing to try to sleep.
During interaction with Bryant, Sgt. Walker became concerned he may be impaired and asked Bryant to participate in Field Sobriety Exercises.
Bryant displayed several signs of impairment during these exercises and provided a roadside preliminary breath test over double the legal limit of .08 BAC.
He was taken into custody for DUI and transported to the Bennington Police Department for further testing and processing.
He was later released with a citation to appear in Bennington County Superior Court, Criminal Division, to answer to the charge of DUI.
