DUI Driver Drove Jeep Without Front Tire: Upper Makefield PD

UPPER MAKEFIELD, PA — Police in Upper Makefield have released details related to multiple DUI arrests in recent weeks, including two crashes and one incident in which a man was driving a car missing a front tire.

Officers responded to a DUI crash on Aug. 18 on Lurgan Road in the area of Eagle Road. Police received reports that a driver had crashed into a fence and then left the scene.

Officers found the car parked in a nearby driveway. The car had "heavy" damage and the driver, later identified as Stephen Tuleja, 56, was attempting to change a front tire. Tuleja smelled of alcohol, had blood shot eyes, an unsteady gate, and disheveled appearance, police said.

Tuleja failed field dexterity tests and was taken into custody for the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, police said. Tuleja was charged with DUI, careless driving, and failure to report an accident involving injury.

On July 22, a Newtown man became trapped inside his car following a crash on Eagle Road. According to police, officers arrived to the scene to find a Jeep overturned on its side. The driver, later identified as 55-year-old Ralph Novoa, was trapped inside.

Officers helped Novoa out of the Jeep, and when doing so, reported noticing an odor of alcohol. Once he was out of the car, police said Novoa had an unsteady gate, blood shot eyes, and a "dazed stare."

St. Mary's Ambulance responded and determined Novoa suffered non-life threatening injuries. He was charged with DUI and careless driving.

The following additional DUI arrests were made:

• Amber Shockley, 22, of Yardley was charged with DUI on May 25 on Rt 532
• Ralph Ferguson Jr., 45, of Bensalem was charged with DUI after he was seen driving erratically on River Road
• Shannon Deloge, 50, of Quakertown was charged with DUI and drug offenses following a traffic stop on River Road.