A wanted Scranton man struck an Old Forge police vehicle stopped at a red light at the intersection of Olive Street and Penn Avenue early Saturday morning, according to a criminal complaint.
Pablo Alejandro Rivera, 45, faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, misidentifying himself to authorities and possession of paraphernalia.
According to the criminal complaint, at about 12:30 a.m., Old Forge officers were stopped at a red light at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Olive Street on their way to the Lackawanna County Processing Center with a prisoner.
Rivera, who was driving behind them, failed to stop and hit the police vehicle.
The crash resulted in minor damage to both vehicles, but no one was injured.
State police responded to the scene and approached Rivera in the driver’s seat, but he refused to identify himself. Troopers noted Rivera smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils.
They spotted two alcoholic beverage containers which were accessible to Rivera as he drove.
Troopers noted a Mike’s Harder Lemonade in the center console was still cold and partially empty. They also spotted an open can of Mixed Long Island Iced Tea in the driver’s door which was also cold and partially empty. Troopers also saw a smoking pipe in the vehicle.
They identified Rivera utilizing a fingerprint scan, which showed he had an arrest warrant out for felony automobile theft which was issued on April 28.
Rivera remains at the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. on May 21 before District Judge Alyce Farrell.