A Schuylkill County man faces DUI charges after Pottsville police say he crashed into several parked vehicles then admitted to using “tranq.”
Michael Mullins, 65, of Pottsville, was driving a white Buick east on Fairview St. on Aug. 31 when he struck three legally parked vehicles in the 400 block, police say. Officers were called to the crash around 2:30 p.m.
They found Mullins in the driver’s seat of the disabled Buick. A woman who had been a passenger in his car was seated near the sidewalk with a deep wound to her left arm, according to police.
Asked how the crash happened, Mullins reportedly told police he “picked his head up and the cars were coming at him.” He also said he had been trying to pick up his glasses, which were under his feet.
Mullins repeatedly mumbled about being in Allentown for heart problems and at times spoke aloud when he did not appear to be answering a question, according to police. When he got out of the car, officers noticed his pants appeared to be on backwards and he was not wearing socks or shoes. He could not walk without two officers helping him and keeping him from falling.
Mullins refused to be taken to the hospital by EMS. Police arrested him on suspicion of DUI, and he nearly fell during field sobriety testing, which officers stopped because he could not safely keep his balance, police say.
Mullins admitted to using “Tranq,” also known as xylazine, and officers found a needle in his front pocket, according to police.
Officers later took Mullins home to release him to his wife. Inside, he made statements indicating he believed his wife was lying on a bed, though she was not there, police say. Officers instead took him to City Hall.
Police charged Mullins by summons with two counts of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, careless driving, and accidents involving damage to an unattended vehicle or property.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 21 before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley.
🛑 Struggling with Alcohol or Drugs?
Resources and treatment funding are available for Schuylkill County residents, even if you are uninsured.
- 🚨 24/7 Emergency/Crisis Line: Call 1-877-993-4357 (Get help or secure funding after-hours, on weekends, or holidays).
- 📞 Main Office (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM): Call (570) 621-2890 to learn about outpatient, detox, rehabilitation, and halfway house funding.
- 📍 Location: Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol Program, 410 N. Centre St. Suite 2, Pottsville, PA 17901.
- ⚖️ Probation Program (SCRPP): For diversion treatment inquiries, contact Adult Probation at (570) 628-1288.
Note: Pregnant substance users and injection drug users receive top priority for immediate treatment admission.
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