LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – A Warren County man is facing several charges after police say they found him asleep behind the wheel of a running a car at an intersection in Lopatcong Township.
Michael Rouse of Lopatcong Township was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, delaying traffic, obstruction of traffic and failure to wear a seatbelt.
On Oct 29, at around 5:56 a.m., township officers responded to the intersection of Route 22 and South 1st Street for a report that a van that was blocking traffic and that the driver appeared to be asleep behind the wheel, police said.
When officers arrived on scene, they found Rouse asleep inside the van with the vehicle in drive and he had his foot on the brake, police said.
Officers were able to wake Rouse and get the vehicle in park safely. He was asked to exit the vehicle, at which time officers determined that Rouse was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, police said.
Rouse provided breath samples and was found to have a .35% BAC, more than 4 times the legal limit in New Jersey, police said.
Due to his level of impairment, Rouse was transported to St. Luke’s Warren Hospital for further evaluation. He was released to a family member with a future Lopatcong Municipal Court date, police said.
