Crime & Safety
Drunken Driver Nearly Hit Patrol Car Head-On: Police
Lower Saucon Township Police say Thomas Durkin III, of Essex Fells, N.J., was drunk when he nearly struck a township police car at Saucon Valley and Weyhill roads.
A New Jersey man was arrested for DUI after Lower Saucon Township Police say he nearly struck a police patrol car head-on as he turned from Saucon Valley Road onto Weyhill Road.
In a press release, police said Thomas Durkin III, of the 100 block of Fells Road, Essex Fells, was eastbound on Saucon Valley Road when he crossed into the opposite travel lane as he made the turn.
At that time, the patrol car Durkin allegedly almost struck was parked "off the edge of Weyhill Road, monitoring the speed of vehicles on Saucon Valley Road," according to the news release.
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Police said the near-accident occurred April 26 at 11:24 p.m.
An officer detected physical impairment and an "extremely strong odor" of alcohol in speaking with Durkin, according to police, who said Durkin was arrested after he failed all field sobriety tests.
Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Durkin's blood alcohol content (BAC) was determined to be .18 percent, police said.
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