Police: Taylor man had open Fireball, hard iced tea drinks during DUI stop

A visibly intoxicated 37-year-old Taylor man — driving with open Fireball and Twisted Tea alcoholic beverages inside his car — faces DUI and related charges, police said.

After officers were dispatched to 744 N. Main Ave. in Scranton around 8:48 p.m. on Saturday for a report of a hit-and-run crash involving a parked vehicle, Patrolman Richard Stevens received an additional call regarding a possibly intoxicated driver, according to a criminal complaint.

The caller stated the driver was “so drunk” and noted the white SUV was traveling on Farr Street, police said.

Stevens spotted the vehicle after turning onto Farr Street and noticed the passenger-side mirror was broken, according to the criminal complaint.

The patrolman initiated a traffic stop and the driver — identified as Michael Moore, 397 Circle Drive, Apt. 107 — stopped the SUV at an angle on North Sumner Avenue, police said.

Moore’s eyes were bloodshot, glossy and watery, and Stevens detected an odor of alcohol on his breath, according to the criminal complaint.

Additionally, Stevens slurred his words, and officers found a lime margarita alcoholic beverage in the vehicle’s cup holder, police said.

Moore showed more signs of intoxication, dropping his wallet while attempting to show officers his identification, according to the criminal complaint.

After learning his identity, officers discovered that Moore had an active warrant out of Baltimore County in Maryland.

When Stevens ordered Moore to exit the vehicle, he struggled to maintain his balance and stumbled, officers said.

Moore — who declined to take sobriety tests — was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the criminal complaint. He gave consent for a blood draw.

While waiting for a tow truck, Stevens observed multiple open alcoholic beverages inside Moore’s vehicle, including a bottle of Fireball whisky, five cans of margarita beverages and two cans of Twisted Tea, police said.

Police charged Moore with DUI–general impairment, unlawful activities relating to equipment, accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property, careless driving, reckless driving and disregarding a traffic lane.

As of Monday, Moore remained in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $2,500 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 10 a.m.