Two Schuylkill County men face DUI charges following an incident earlier this month in Minersville in which they apparently tried to pull the switcheroo with who was driving the vehicle when it happened.
Police say they responded to the 100 block of E. Laurel St. shortly before 3 a.m. on March 1 after a homeowner reported that their security cameras captured two men attempting to back a vehicle down the street and striking a parked car.
As they arrived on the scene, police found a gray 2004 Ford Taurus parked in the middle of the street with the ignition running. It was stopped alongside a white Nissan Altima with damage to its driver’s side mirror. Police say Ray Santos, 37, of Tremont, was in the driver’s seat of the Taurus, while the vehicle’s registered owner, Javon Thomas, 26, also from Tremont, was standing outside. However, police say they would later learn that it was he who was behind the wheel when the Taurus struck the Altima.
Police say they instructed Santos to turn off the vehicle and exit. While speaking with Santos, officers reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol. He had glossy eyes and slurred speech.
Santos reportedly struggled with a vision sobriety test and then refused to complete the remainder of the tests. He was placed Santos under arrest for DUI and police say they determined his driver’s license was suspended. Santos was taken to a local hospital, where he reportedly consented to a blood test.
Police say that while they were conducting the DUI arrest of Santos, Thomas asked if he could drive the Taurus home. Thomas also smelled of alcohol, had glossy eyes, and slurred speech.
Sobriety tests on him also showed signs of impairment. Thomas was reportedly told that he had to leave the vehicle parked and find a ride home.
After clearing the scene, police say they reviewed the homeowner’s security camera footage. According to police, the video showed Thomas operating the Taurus, reversing it down the 100 block of E. Laurel Street, and striking the driver’s side mirror of the parked Nissan Altima before officers arrived.
Both Thomas and Santos are facing DUI and related charges. Thomas has also been charged with a summary count of accidents involving damage to an unattended vehicle.
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