Lehigh driver cited after stop

A Lehigh County driver was cited following a traffic stop that occurred on June 4 at 12:04 a.m.

State police at Lehighton said Richard McLaughlin, 46, of Fogelsville, was stopped along Route 209 at Bankway and Bridge Street in Lehighton when it was determined the license plate on the 1996 Ford van he was driving was previously reported stolen.

McLaughlin told troopers he purchased the vehicle three months earlier and the seller did not remove the tag. Troopers noted McLaughlin showed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. He was taken to St. Luke’s-Gnaden Huetten for a blood test which revealed the presence of controlled substances.

As a result McLaughlin was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance (two counts), receiving stolen property, registration and certificate required and driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked.