Hellertown Police say a local man was allegedly “actively drinking mouthwash” in a vehicle he was operating when officers arrested him for driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to police, Craig T. Haytmanek, 73, of the 700 block of Delaware Avenue, Fountain Hill, was operating a 2008 Jeep Liberty that was allegedly “stopped in the intersection of High Street and Main Street, blocking traffic” at about 7:15 p.m. on Oct. 5.
Police said in an Oct. 16 news release that Haytmanek allegedly displayed “multiple signs of impairment” and was “actively drinking” mouthwash at the time.
Alcohol is an ingredient in many commercially available brands of mouthwash.
In a sworn criminal complaint filed by Ofc. John Donato in Northampton County District Court 03-2-04 on Oct. 17, it is alleged that Haytmanek’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .20 percent at approximately 8:17 p.m., or about an hour after police first made contact with him.
The maximum legal limit for BAC in Pennsylvania is .08 percent.
Haytmanek is charged with DUI-Highest Rate of Alcohol (BAC of .16 percent or higher) and DUI, according to police and court records. Both charges are listed as first offense misdemeanors.
According to online court records, a preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to be held Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. before District Judge Alan mege in District Court 03-2-04.