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SALEM TWP. — An alleged drunken motorist of a Dodge truck did donuts in front of a police officer and initiated a pursuit that reached speeds in excess of 100 mph Sunday night.
Township police arrested James Nafus Jr., 44, of Shickshinny, after the pursuit that began at the Beech Haven Fire Hall and ended two miles away near Beach Grove Road just after 9 p.m.
Police alleged Nafus had an odor of alcohol on his breath.
According to the criminal complaint:
A township police officer was in the fire hall’s parking lot when a Dodge truck, allegedly driven by Nafus, pulled into the lot and did donuts before pulling onto Salem Boulevard. The officer pursued Nafus as speeds reached more than 100 mph before he stopped in a parking lot.
Nafus allegedly had slurred speech, had difficulty locating his driver’s license and was unsteady on his feet.
Police said field sobriety tests had to be stopped for Nafus’ safety.
Nafus asked police why he had to perform field sobriety tests and at one point, blamed police for getting him drunk, the complaint says.
Nafus was transported to Berwick Hospital where he allegedly refused to submit to a blood test.
Nafus was arraigned Monday in Luzerne County Central Court on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving under the influence, speeding, reckless driving, careless driving and driving an unregistered vehicle. He was jailed at the county correctional facility for lack of $5,000 bail.