DUI enforcement details released
The Lehigh Township Police Department conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Friday, July 9, conducting a five-hour operation in which 791 vehicles were contacted.
Police from the township, Pen Argyl, Stockerton, Bangor, Moore Township, Colonial Regional, Plainfield Township, Nazareth, Upper Nazareth and Walnutport participated, as did the Lehigh Township Fire Company.
During the operations, 11 traffic citations were issued, as were three warning notices. Ten vehicles were detained. Police made the following arrests:
David R. Weaver, 38, of Kunkletown, DUI, .24% BAC.
Crystal Lee Weida, 37, of Walnutport, DUI, .11% BAC.
Stephen Michael Soldridge, 41, of Slatington, DUI, .10% BAC.
Rodney William Hughes, 61, of Lehighton, DUI, .08% BAC.
Allen Michael Varilek, 19, of Slatington, arrested for DUI and drugs (toxicology pending).
Justin R. Fritz, 22, of Palmerton, arrested for DUI and drugs (toxicology pending).
Luis Melendez, 24, of Bethlehem, arrested for providing false identification to law enforcement officials.
Also used at the checkpoint was a drug recognition expert, who is an officer trained to detech impairment of people who drive under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs.
Police said the township's regional DUI enforcement program will continue in August with two mobile awareness points, three roving patrols and two checkpoints. Planned for September are a mobile awareness patrol, a "Cops in Shops" event and two roving patrols.
