MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (AP) A Connecticut State Police sergeant charged with drinking heavily at a retirement party for a colleague before injuring two women in an off-duty car crash has made his initial court appearance.

John McDonald was released after his arraignment Monday on charges including drunken driving and assault with a motor vehicle.

Neither he nor his attorney, Robert Britt, addressed the allegations outside of Middletown Superior Court.

Authorities say the 37-year-old McDonald consumed at least eight alcoholic drinks at an Oxford brew pub during the party before the Sept. 25 accident in Southbury.

Troopers say McDonald was driving more than 70 mph and ran a stop sign before crashing into another car, injuring a 52-year-old Middlebury woman and her 19-year-old daughter. They have sued McDonald.

McDonald has been placed on paid leave.