Young Man Makes Up Story to Cover Drunk Driving, Police Say

A young Farmington man was arrested Saturday morning after making a false 911 call and creating an elaborate story to cover up drunk driving, police said.

A Farmington officer watched 22-year-old Daniel Vagnini, of 10 Butternut Drive, speed through a stop sign, narrowly avoiding another car, arrest reports said.

Police later found Vagnini’s car undamaged on Indian Hill Road and began searching the woods for him with K-9 Drak. While they were searching, Vagnini reportedly called 911, saying he was lost by the Farmington River.

Drak led officers to Vagnini, who had minor facial injuries. His shirt was torn and wallet and keys were missing, police said. Vagnini told officers he had been drinking in Hartford but was assaulted as he got into his car to drive home and blacked out, regaining consciousness in the woods.

Vagnini later recanted his story and admitted he had punched himself in the face, ripped his shirt and thrown his wallet and keys into the river, police said.

He was charged with reckless driving, evading responsibility and driving under the influence, then released on $1,500 non-surety bond and scheduled to appear June 15, 2011.