Carbon driver facing DUI count

A Carbon County driver is facing a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) following an incident that occurred about 9:05 p.m. on April 9 in Nesquehoning.

Officer Robert Blisard was traveling north on Allen Street and noticed a vehicle traveling in the same direction behind him. The vehicle was following the patrol cruiser so close Blisard was unable to see the vehicle's headlights in his mirror. As he slowed down to go over a set of railroad tracks the cruiser was almost struck by the other vehicle, which was a Ford Ranger pickup truck.

As Blisard approached a stop sign at Willow Street the Ford almost struck the cruiser again. At this point Blisard activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle.

The driver was identified as Brian Kulick, 45, of 39 E. Garibaldi Ave., Nesquehoning. Blisard smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Kulick. Kulick failed field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for DUI. He was taken to St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, for a blood test. The test results revealed a .35BAC.

In addition to the DUI charge Kulick was also charged with motor vehicle code violations of following too closely and careless driving.