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EXETER — Two people are in custody after Exeter police claim they were drunkenly driving a tractor trailer with two children in the vehicle.

Ariel Dorris, 27, of Mountain Top, along with Franklin Pitts, 55, of Mountain Top, were arrested Monday evening after Exeter Borough Police received a report of the truck being driven erratically down a narrow side street, nearly hitting parked vehicles.

When officers arrive, they say the vehicle attempted to flee down Mundy Court, striking a parked vehicle and a utility pole. Once officers stopped the vehicle, they say Dorris fled from the vehicle with two children in her arms, while Pitts, the driver, exhibited signs of intoxication.

They say Pitts engaged in a physical altercation with officers, while Dorris attempted to interfere with his arrest. They said she also displayed signs of “extreme intoxication,” still holding the two infants during the struggle. They say she cause a minor injury to one of the children.

Pitts was hit with a slew of charges, including driving under the influence, two counts of endangering the welfare of children, counts of reckless endangerment and making terroristic threats. Dorris is also facing counts of endangering the welfare of children, disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.

They were arraigned Monday night by Magisterial District Judge Donald Whittaker, who set bail for Pitts at $100,000 and for Dorris at $75,000.

Court records show neither was immediately able to make bail, so they remained locked up at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on Tuesday afternoon.

Dorris
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_77062160_1411912855635583_4518093617281105920_n-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDorris

Pitts
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_75406501_548021526029087_5110617160724512768_n-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPitts

By Patrick Kernan

[email protected]

Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan