Jefferson Man Charged With DWI After Route 15 Traffic Stop

JEFFERSON — A Jefferson Township man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop on Route 15 South early on the morning of May 12.

According to Jefferson Township Police, an officer conducting a radar detail at Sebring Automotive observed a black pickup truck make a left turn onto Route 15 South without its rear lights illuminated. The officer also observed the driver having difficulty maintaining his lane and initiated a motor vehicle stop in the Fuel 15 parking lot. The stop was conducted by PO Matthew Johnson of the Jefferson Township Police Department.

The driver was identified as George DeTorres, 49, of Jefferson Township. Police said the officer detected an odor of alcohol and observed DeTorres’ movements to be clumsy while searching for his documentation. DeTorres told the officer he had not consumed alcohol since the day before.

DeTorres was administered standardized field sobriety tests, including the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, walk-and-turn test and one-leg stand test. Police said he showed multiple indicators of impairment across the tests. Based on the totality of the circumstances, the officer determined DeTorres was under the influence of alcohol.

DeTorres was placed under arrest and transported to Jefferson Township Police Headquarters for breath testing. After initially declining, he later agreed to provide breath samples, which registered a .14% blood alcohol concentration, according to police.

DeTorres was issued summonses for:

• Driving while intoxicated (39:4-50)
• Reckless driving (39:4-96)

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.