Cops: Drunk Man Driving Street Sweeper Flees Police on Southern State

A man had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system when he led police on a low-speed chase in a street sweeper on the Southern State Parkway, according to New York State Police.

Several witnesses called the police just before 8 p.m. Thursday to report an erratic street sweeper heading east on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 17.

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Troopers caught up and tried to pull over the sweeper near Exit 22 for the Meadowbrook Parkway, police said. The driver refused and led a low-speed pursuit at 35 MPH for five minutes, cops said. The driver, Jerry Mitchell, 48, of Brooklyn, finally pulled over and surrendered near Exit 26 in North Bellmore, police said.

Mitchell was taken into custody and was found to have a blood alcohol content of more than .18 percent, more than twice the legal limit, cops said.

Mitchell was charged with aggravated DWI, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, and miscellaneous traffic charges.

Photos: Jerry Mitchell|Street sweeper pulled over. Credit: NYS Police

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