Washington Twp. Cop Charged With Drunk Driving Had License Suspended In '15 For DWI

Long Valley, NJ — The Washington Township police officer arrested in Pennsylvania last week for driving while intoxicated and hitting several other vehicles was arrested in New Jersey for the same reason in 2015, and he subsequently lost his license for 90 days.

William McCarthy was arrested in June 2015 in Blairstown after police there found him slumped over in his vehicle with an open, partially drunk bottle of tequila in his lap, according to a report on nj.com. As a result, his license was suspended for 90 days.

During that timeframe, McCarthy was disciplined according to departmental procedures and did not work, Washington Township Police Chief Jeff Almer told Patch.

On June 16, McCarthy was arrested in Pennsylvania and charged with a slew of offenses, including driving under the influence.

According to the original Patch report, Hazleton Police, along with multiple other jurisdictions, responded to the incident on Wednesday, June 16 and stopped a Nissan Armada SUV with “heavy front end damage,” hazletonheadlines.com reported.

The driver was identified as William McCarthy III who was taken into custody and charged with driving under the influence, resisting arrest, accidents involving damage to attended vehicles (two of the vehicles hit were occupied), duty to give information and render aid, and reckless driving.

“The unfortunate off-duty incident involving William McCarthy is currently under investigation by the Washington Township Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Hazleton Township Police Department, and we are continuing to gather information concerning the incident,” said Almer. “He is currently suspended without pay from the police department pending the outcome of the investigation. We are thankful that no one was injured in the incident and appreciate the assistance we have received from Hazleton Township Police Department.”

Almer told Patch a criminal investigation must first conclude before the Washington Township Police Department conducts its own internal investigation, if needed.