Philadelphia police locked up 66 motorists, including one off-duty cop, for driving while under the influence during the Independence Day period from July 3 to 8, while locally based Pennsylvania State Police arrested another 25 motorists for the same offense.
Published reports identified the suspect cop as Eugene Daniel, 53, of the 16th Police District in West Philly. Daniel allegedly was involved in a car crash at North 33rd Street and Girard Avenue shortly after 9 p.m. on July 5. Paramedics took two people to area hospitals as a result of the crash. Their injuries were not life-threatening. Daniel was charged with DUI, criminal mischief and simple assault.
According to Philadelphia police, the 66 DUI arrests all were made through “routine traffic stops,” rather than DUI checkpoints or targeted enforcement. The department recorded 76 DUI arrests for the same period last year.
The state police tally covered July 3 through 7. Troopers investigated 88 vehicle crashes in the three counties, which resulted in 25 injuries and two deaths. Six crashes were alcohol-related. Troopers issued 961 traffic citations, including 314 for speeding and 25 DUIs. ••
