Antihistamine Leads to Drunk Driving Charge

A Merrimack man was arrested for driving under the influence last week after mixing an over-the-counter drug with peppermint extract, which police say has a high alcohol content.

James H. Sakelaris, 24, of 11 Cobblestone Drive, Merrimack, was charged with operating under the influence/driving while intoxicated – drugs, when Merrimack Police were called to his home for a report of a motor vehicle accident.

They say they were alerted to a vehicle in the driveway with extensive passenger-side damage and identified Sakelaris as the operator of the vehicle. An investigation determined Sakalaris was under the influence of Coricidin and peppermint extract when he side-swiped trees along the driveway, police say. He then allegedly struck the garage.

Sakelaris was taken into custody and released on $1,500 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear before the the Ninth Circuit Court, District Division, on June 4, to answer to the charge.