Lansford man gets DUI charge after police dispatched for fight

Lansford police have charged a borough man with driving under the influence.

Jerome S. Zemlan, 50, was charged on July 3, according to a report released Monday by police.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by patrolman Richard J. Reis, he was dispatched at 3:45 p.m. to the 200 block of West Water Street on a report of four people involved in a fight. One of them was believed to be intoxicated and had left in a white Dodge Stratus.

Reis arrived to find no one around. He spoke with the woman who called 911, and she said Zemlan was involved, and pointed out the car.

Reis pulled the car over and saw Zemlan get out.

"I just went to get some fireworks," he told Reis.

He said he didn't start the fight, and everything was fine because they shook hands.

Reis noticed a strong smell of alcohol about Zemlan, whose eyes were glassy and balance was poor.

Asked if he'd had anything to drink, Zemlan answered "not since this morning."

Zemlan failed field sobriety tests and was arrested on suspicion of DUI. He refused to submit to chemical testing, and was released into the custody of Ed Butterworth, with whom he lives.