Police say a Shillington woman appeared to fall asleep and was likely high on weed during a recent traffic stop in Schuylkill County.
According to a police report filed in District Court this week, Racheal Jones, 42, of Shillington, Berks County, was in the southbound lanes of Route 61 in West Brunswick Township on the afternoon of Feb. 20.
Police say they observed a white 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck driven by Jones headed south on Route 61. The license plate was partially obscured by snow. As police got behind the truck, they say it began to swerve, five times hitting the fog line.
Once police got close enough, they were able to get a read on the license plate and found that the registration expired in August 2023. Police say they activated their emergency lights and siren but Jones allegedly didn’t stop immediately.
More than a mile later, Jones did pull over into a business parking lot, police say. As police approached the vehicle, they say the smell of marijuana was emanating from the pickup and Jones’ eyes were watery.
Police say they asked for Jones’ driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. She reportedly said that her license was at home and gave police a USAA insurance card that expired in 2018. Jones reportedly said that her step-father was supposed to reinstate the auto insurance that day but wasn’t sure if that was done and if the policy was active at the time. Police also say that the vehicle’s inspection had expired in 2018.
Jones was asked by police when the last time she’d smoked weed. She reportedly said, “It’s in my coat pocket but I haven’t smoked in a couple hours.” Jones then allegedly showed police a bronze skull pipe from her left pocket along with a marijuana grinder from a waist pocket.
Once again, police say they asked Jones when is the last time she smoked and this time, she allegedly said, “Before I put my ass in this car and drove away with it … about 45 minutes ago.”
Police say they then took all their evidence from Jones and went back to their patrol vehicle. When they returned to Jones’ vehicle, they say she appeared to be sleeping. They say she said she was “just resting.”
During a sobriety test, police say they saw six signs of Jones being impaired. Jones reportedly agreed to a blood test at a Pottsville hospital. Later, she was released from police custody.
Earlier this week, police filed misdemeanor charges of DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia against Jones along with numerous summary traffic offenses.
A preliminary hearing before District Magistrate Judge AJ Serina has been scheduled for May 27.
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