Area DUI cases
State police reported on the following driving under the influence cases:
• A Monroe County driver is facing a charge of driving under the influence following a one-vehicle crash that occurred at 5:25 p.m. on April 29 along Route 209 in Chestnuthill Township.
State police at Fern Ridge said Michael A. Blejwas, 37, of Bushkill, was driving a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup southbound when the vehicle struck a curb and traveled towards a utility pole. The truck continued northwest and went down a embankment for about 15 feet before striking a utility pole, shearing it from the ground. The vehicle continued northwest about 30 feet before striking a metal signpost dislodging the pole from the ground. The pole lodged under the truck carriage and slowed the vehicle down. It came to rest on the northwest side of the road about 60 feet from where it struck the curb.
Blejwas was checked by medical personnel and refused further treatment. He was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI.
• A Carbon County driver is facing a charge of driving under the influence following an incident at 11:25 p.m. on April 29 along East Maple Street in Banks Township.
State police at Hazleton said a 43-year-old man from Tresckow, who they declined to identify, was operating a Kawasaki Prairie all-terrain vehicle along East Maple Street when the ATV struck a curb. The impact caused the ATV to jump the curb and overturn, coming to rest in an upright position.
The driver was injured and taken to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hazleton Campus, by McAdoo ambulance. The ATV was towed.
Troopers said an investigation determined that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, with charges pending.
• A Schuylkill County driver is facing charges following an incident that occurred on April 29 at 5:48 p.m. at West 8th and North Church streets in Hazleton.
State police said troopers stopped a 2001 Honda Civic for numerous traffic violations. The driver, a 42-year-old man from Tamaqua, who troopers declined to identify, was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance. He was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
Charges are pending test results.