Bowmanstown woman faces DUI charges

A Bowmanstown woman has been charged with driving under the influence.

Alicia Koons, 30, of the 300 block of White Street, faces charges on one count each of driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, driving under the influence, alcohol 0.16 percent, and careless driving.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by officer Richard Neikam of the Nesquehoning Police Department:

On Feb. 28, police were called about an erratic driver last seen at the intersection of Mermon Avenue and East Catawissa Street.

The caller followed a silver Hyundai from the Lehighton area, and saw it strike a curb two times, then turn left at Mermon Avenue from East Catawissa Street.

Neikam spotted a silver Hyundai Santa Fe parked on East Railroad Street.

The vehicle was running and Neikam noticed a woman, identified as Koons, in the driver seat. While speaking to her, Neikam noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath.

Neikam saw that Koons had bloodshot watery eyes, and Koons admitted to drinking.

Koons told Neikam that she had a prior DUI and had about five beers, stating, “I know I’m intoxicated.”

Neikam told Koons to get out of her vehicle and he conducted field sobriety tests.

Koons showed signs of impairment from the field tests.

She then submitted to a portable breath test, which yielded a result of 0.245 percent, and Koons was placed in custody for suspicion of DUI.

Neikam then transported Koons to Pennsylvania State Police Hazleton. Koons admitted to drinking five Miller Lites, along with four shots of Jameson whiskey.

She agreed to take a chemical breath test, and her final result was 0.198.

Koons will have a preliminary hearing at 1:45 p.m. May 2 before District Judge Casimir T. Kosciolek of Lansford.