State Police Announce DUI Checkpoint This Weekend

The Pennsylvania State Police have  issued a warning to motorists that they will conduct a sobriety checkpoint this Friday and Saturday within Lehigh County to find those potentially driving while under the influence.

The effort is "to reduce alcohol-related traffic crashes and the number of deaths, injuries and property damage that they cause," according to a release by state police.

As a public service, Lower Macungie Patch offers the following examples in the true "Scared Straight" tradition as to why it might be a good idea to heed this warning or choose other alternatives.

On the wrong track

A Macungie-area man found himself in some trouble April 17 when his car became disabled on train tracks by Indian Creek Road at Macungie Road. State police said Derek Gene Stupak, 27, admitted he had been drinking and failed field sobriety and breath tests. He was arrested and charges are pending the results of a blood-alcohol test.

The wrong stuff

Another Macungie-area man faces DUI charges pending the outcome of blood test results after he admitted April 19 that he had smoked K2 Spice, a synthetic form of marijuana, state police said.

Devon Guy Clarke was found passed out in a township park about 9 p.m., police said. A vehicle matching the description of the one he was driving was seen a short time earlier stopped in the lane of travel with the driver passed out at the wheel.

Police said the engine compartment was still warm when they found Clarke, and he appeared to be in need of medical attention.

A little help from their friends

State police said they were notified April 20 of a motorist driving erratically along Spring Creek Road in Lower Macungie. Witnesses followed the vehicle to Wal-Mart along Mill Creek Road and waited for police.

Police said they interviewed the offending motorist, Jean Marie Brensinger, no age given, of 180 Diehl Lane, Alburtis. She was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

In other Lower Macungie police incidents:

Charged: Christopher Lee, 19, of Macungie, April 15 with harassment; left harassing messages on the phone of a 19-year-old Lower Macungie man, police said.

Theft: Reported April 21 by a 37-year-old  Lower Macungie woman; iPod, GPS and another electronics device were taken from her vehicle parked on the street in the 3800 block of Lincoln Drive, police said; $800 total value.

Theft: Reported April 21 by Michael and Laura Parrotta of Macungie; GPS unit and wallet were taken from an unlocked vehicle at 3670 Clauss Drive, police said; $160 total value.

Theft: Reported April 21 by Lola O'Fray, 47, of Lower Macungie; wallet was taken from 8023 Quarry Road, police said; no value given.