Jackson police charge two drivers with DWI
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - In a pair of incidents that occurred within hours of each other, two Jackson residents were arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

According to a press release issued by Jackson police Sgt. Steven Laskiewicz, at about 10:38 Feb. 4, Police Officer Theodore Kucowski conducted a motor vehicle stop on Hawkin Road. According to the press release, the driver was stopped because he passed the officer at a speed of 64 mph in a 50 mph zone.

The driver was identified as Ronald Pearn, 21, of West Fish Road. Police said that after speaking with Pearn, Kucowski suspected that the driver was intoxicated. The driver was asked to exit the vehicle for roadside sobriety tests.

The tests were administered and Pearn was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with driving while intoxicated. He was transported to police headquarters, processed and released to a family member after being tested again.

Pearn was charged with speeding, DWI and having an obstructed license plate. He was also processed on an outstanding warrant for a speeding violation.

Police Officer Derek Gorski assisted with the arrest.

At 12:05 a.m. Feb. 5, Police Officer Matthew Roth placed Stephanie McHugh, 29, of Banyan Court, under arrest and charged her with DWI.

Laskiewicz said while Roth was traveling on Anderson Road he observed the driver of a 2002 Hyundai make a wide right turn from Monmouth Road (Route 537) onto Anderson Road.

Laskiewicz said the vehicle was being driven in the wrong travel lane, directly at Roth's patrol vehicle. He said Roth had to swerve to avoid a head-on collision with the oncoming vehicle.

Roth turned his patrol car around and caught up to the vehicle that had almost struck him. At that point he conducted a motor vehicle stop.

Laskiewicz said Roth spoke with the driver and suspected that she was intoxicated. McHugh was asked to leave the vehicle, and roadside sobriety tests were performed.

McHugh was subsequently placed under arrest without incident and transported to police headquarters, where she was processed and a breath analysis test was conducted.

Gorski also assisted with this arrest.

McHugh was charged with reckless driving, DWI, failure to maintain lane and careless driving. She was later released into the custody of a neighbor.