LONG BRANCH — The chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Party is facing charges of driving while intoxicated.
William F. Dowd, 59, of Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, was charged with driving while intoxicated after being stopped for a motor vehicle infraction, according to Long Branch police department officials.
He also was charged with reckless driving, driving without insurance identification, obstructing traffic and failure to use a turn signal.
Dowd is a longtime Middletown Township attorney. His firm, Dowd and Reilly, Red Bank, was reappointed at the township’s reorganization meeting Sunday.
Police Lt. Patrick Joyce said Officer Michael Vogler stopped Dowd after allegedly observing him run a stop sign and weave while traveling east on Bath Avenue near Sairs Avenue at approximately 10:30 p.m. Jan. 2. Dowd was driving a white 2002 Mercury Sable rental car.
Cpl. Steve Costello assisted Vogles with the arrest.
"He failed the sobriety test after the officer pulled the car over," Joyce said, and was given a Breathalyzer test at police headquarters. Joyce would not release the results of the test, but said Dowd was then charged with driving while intoxicated and released.
The matter is pending in Long Branch municipal court but may be moved to another municipality.
Attempts to reach Dowd were unsuccessful.