DUBOIS – A Lawrence Township Supervisor has been arrested for reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
Brian E. Collins, 54, of Clearfield has been charged by DuBois-based state police with misdemeanor DUI, plus two summaries, in relation to a traffic stop Nov. 18.
According to the criminal complaint, around 9:15 p.m., troopers were traveling west on Rockton Mountain Highway in Pine Township when they saw a Ford dump truck travel over the eastbound fog line.
State police turned around to travel east behind the vehicle. It touched the fog line twice before its operator pulled off the roadway without proper activation of their turn signal.
When troopers stopped the truck, the operator identified himself as Collins. He reportedly had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes; there was also an odor of alcohol.
When state police initially asked Collins if he had anything to drink that night, he admitted to having one or two. He was asked to exit his vehicle for field sobriety testing.
As he walked to the bumper of the patrol unit, Collins was asked again about how much he had to drink. This time he reportedly said “a few.”
During eye examinations, troopers said they could smell a strong odor of alcohol on Collins and at the conclusion of testing, Collins was asked to submit to a preliminary breath test.
He did indicate at first that he wanted attorney, William A. Shaw Jr., (also the township solicitor), but then agreed to the test.
Unable to provide a proper air sample, he was taken into custody and put in the rear of the police unit where he was given his Miranda Warnings.
When state police asked if he understood, he made a comment about how he was a Lawrence Township Supervisor and this was the “scoop of the police force.”
Collins was transported to Penn Highlands DuBois Hospital. On Nov. 30, troopers received a lab report that showed Collins had a blood-alcohol content of .198.
Collins is currently scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 11:15 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23 during centralized court at the DuBois magistrate’s office.