Man charged with DWI after police find him asleep behind wheel in Hackettstown parking lot

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — A Florida man was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after police found him asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle blocking traffic in a Hackettstown parking lot, authorities said.

According to Hackettstown police, officers responded to 134 Mountain Avenue at approximately 8:34 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, for a report of a vehicle parked in the middle of a parking lot, obstructing traffic.

Upon arrival, police located the driver, identified as Markham Swisher, 53, of Crawfordville, Florida, asleep behind the steering wheel.

During the investigation, officers observed signs of possible intoxication, including slurred speech, glassy eyes and difficulty maintaining his balance, police said. Swisher allegedly refused to perform field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

He was transported to Hackettstown Police Headquarters, where he refused to provide breath samples, according to police.

Swisher was issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, careless driving, refusal to submit to breath testing and possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle.

He was released to a responsible adult pending a court appearance.