5 Charged During Sobriety Checkpoint: Harford Sheriff

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office charged five people with DUI during its most recent sobriety checkpoint, officials said Wednesday.

Approximately 560 drivers passed through the checkpoint, which was set up on MD 22 between Econ Drive and Tredmore Road for three hours overnight between Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13, the sheriff’s office reported.

During that period, other deputies went on patrol looking for drunk drivers across the county.

From both the checkpoint and patrols, a total of five people were charged, the sheriff’s office reported.

Three of those charged were from Bel Air, one was from Havre de Grace and another was from Pasadena, the sheriff’s office reported. Officials said they also cited someone for possession of marijuana.

The following were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI):

• 28-year-old man from the 1300 block of Streamview Road, Bel Air; stopped at checkpoint
• 71-year-old man from 300 block of Catherine Street, Bel Air; stopped at checkpoint
• 25-year-old man from the 700 block of Macphail Court North, Bel Air; stopped at Moores Mill Road and MD 22
• 40-year-old man from the 1500 block of Glenville Road, Havre de Grace; stopped at checkpoint
• 38-year-old woman from the 8400 block of Arbutus Road, Pasadena; stopped at MD 22 and Main Street

The sheriff’s office dedicated the checkpoint to the memory of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta.

Leotta died Dec. 10, a week after a suspected drunk driver hit him while he was conducting a holiday patrol.

“Drunk drivers pose a very real and serious threat to our community, and Officer Leotta’s sacrifice highlights how dangerous it really is,” Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler said in a statement. “We hope by conducting these sobriety checkpoints, we can spread awareness and help citizens get home safely to their families this holiday season.”

Maryland State Police is also dedicating its holiday patrols to the memory of Leotta.

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• Drunk-Driving Crackdown Dedicated to Montgomery Cop