ALLENTOWN – A former resident of Allentown was charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) following his involvement in a motor vehicle accident on Jan. 6.
The cause of the collision remained under investigation as of Jan. 8, according to police.
Police said that at 10:40 a.m. Jan. 6, Patrolman Anthony Rando was dispatched to the area near Main and High streets. When Rando arrived at the scene he observed a 2014 Mercedes with its airbag deployed. The vehicle had significant damage on the driver’s side.
The driver of the Mercedes, who was identified as an 82-year-old female resident of Allentown, was being evaluated by medical personnel and subsequently asked to be transported to a hospital, according to police. No further information about her condition was available.
About 150 feet away from the Mercedes, Rando observed a 2003 Ford F250 that had crashed into a tree up a snow bank. The officer approached the driver, who was later identified as a 26-year-old male resident of Townsend, Del., and a former resident of Allentown.
The driver was evaluated by medical personnel and initially refused medical attention, according to police.
Rando observed that the man’s pupils appeared constricted, he was swaying and staggering, his speech was slurred and he kept nodding off and closing his eyes. At that time, Lt. Daniel Panckeri arrived at the scene.
Police said Rando suspected the man might be under the influence of narcotics. The officer conducted field sobriety tests on the man and placed him under arrest for driving while intoxicated and assault by auto.
Police said the man was later found to be in possession of controlled dangerous substances suspected to be heroin and cocaine. He was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.
The man asked to be transported to a hospital and he was, before he was processed at Allentown police headquarters and then placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township.
The Delaware resident was charged with assault by auto, driving while intoxicated/impaired, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle, refusal to submit a breath sample, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, unsafe operation of a motor vehicle and failure to exhibit a valid insurance card, according to police.