Stafford Police Charge North Carolina Woman With Drunk Driving With Toddler In Car

The "heavily intoxicated" man in the Wawa parking lot on Route 72 at Mermaid Drive near Ocean Acres was easy to spot. So a concerned citizen called police to report him.

Police found John J. Passarelli Jr, 30, of Sanford, North Carolina in the parking lot.

Investigation revealed he had several outstanding warrants from New Jersey and North Carolina, and he was taken into custody.

Further investigation revealed Megan Ellen Saunders, 30, also of Sanford, North Carolina, was found to be operating their vehicle in the parking lot. She was subsequently placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Her tw0-year-old daughter was in the car and was later turned over to family members, Lt. James R. Vaughn said.

The child was later turned over to family members. Passarelli was transported to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in default of his warrants. Saunders was charged with driving while intoxicated, endangering the welfare of a child reckless driving, possession of a controlled dangerous substance stance tssion of a erment greckless driving and other motor vehicle charges,Vaughn said.

Patrolmen Chris Smith and Brian Fenlon were the arresting officers.The photos of Passarelli and Saunders will not be released, Vaughn said.

Image: Patch file photo.