Drunk Driver Runs Off Road, Almost Backs Up Into Police Car: Cops

EAST HAMPTON, NY — An East Hampton drunk driver was found slumped at the wheel, then ran off the road and almost backed up into a police car, police said.

Michael Patrick McDowell, 74, was arrested on June 4 at 3:43 p.m. on Cedar Street and Stephen Hands Path in East Hampton after he was initially seen "slumped forward" in the driver's seat, his seat belt fastened, with the engine running while in the drive position; his foot was on the brake while his red 2003 Subaru was stopped in the roadway, obstructing traffic, East Hampton Town Police said.

As an officer attempted to conduct a vehicle and traffic stop, McDowell then drove west on Cedar Street, where he failed to keep right by crossing over the solid double yellow lines that separate the lanes of travel, police said. He made a wide left turn onto old Northwest Road, causing his vehicle to drive off the roadway, police said. He then put his vehicle into reverse and accelerated backward, nearly striking a marked police car, police said.

Upon investigation, McDowell had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, slurred speech, and bloodshot, glassy eyes; he was unsteady on his feet and performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests given, police said.

McDowell was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, previous conviction of designated offense within 10 years, a felony, police said. He was also charged with first degree aggravated unlicensed operation, conditional license/influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony, police said.

He was found with two half oval blue pills stamped "G58", later identified to be Alprazolam, also known as Xanax, in an unmarked prescription container without a prescription in his right coat pocket; he was charged seventh degree possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, as well as with possession of a controlled substance in a non-original container, a violation, police said.

Cash bail was set at $5,000, police said.