SHARE

Man Asleep At Wheel Nabbed After Trying To Avoid Police In Dutchess

A man asleep at the wheel with a blood-alcohol content nearly triple the legal limit was busted after attempting to flee from state police in Dutchess County.

Saturnino Lopez

Saturnino Lopez

Photo Credit: New York State Police

State police troopers received reports of a suspicious vehicle idling on Market Street in Dover Plains at approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday morning. Upon arrival, troopers reported that they found a vehicle running with an unresponsive man inside.

After several attempts to wake the driver - later identified as 47-year-old Dover Plains resident Saturnino Lopez - troopers said that he woke up and abruptly attempted to leave the scene.

Police were able to get Lopez to stop the vehicle. After he exited the vehicle, troopers reported that there were several empty beer cans in the vehicle and there were signs of physical impairment.

According to police, Lopez failed multiple Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and a breathalyzer determined his blood alcohol content was .20 percent.

Lopez was arrested and charged with a felony count of aggravated driving while intoxicated because he has a previous aggravated DWI conviction in the past 10 years. He was also charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device because his license had been revoked due to the previous DWI conviction.

Following arraignment in the Town of Dover Court, Lopez was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. He is due back in court on Dec. 21 to answer the charges.

to follow Daily Voice Northwest Dutchess and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE