Driver Accused of Endangering Police, Firefighters

A man whose hometown is often associated with the word “horror” is accused of driving drunk, ignoring police warnings and driving his Suburban vehicle over downed power lines on Route 412 just north of Interstate 78 in Bethlehem, endangering nearby police and firefighters.

Anthony Czyrski, 43, of Amityville, N.Y., -- court records say he was born in Bethlehem -- took a preliminary breath test during Friday’s incident that showed an alcohol level of 0.16 percent – twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. The records listed the results of a blood-alcohol test as “pending.”

A criminal complaint filed by Bethlehem police Officer Matthew Laxton provides the following details:

--Police were investigating an unrelated crash around 9:25 p.m. Friday at Hellertown Road (Route 412) and Crest Avenue. A telephone pole had been struck and power lines were lying in the northbound lane of Hellertown Road.

--Several officers were out of their cruisers at Hellertown and Silvex roads, closing Hellertown Road to northbound traffic. Czyrski allegedly ignored officers’ directions and cut through the parking lot of the Turkey Hill on Hellertown Road. 

--He pulled onto northbound Hellertown Road and “accelerated into the downed power lines.” Police and firefighters were standing near the lines. They had to “rapidly move due to heavy vibrations being sent through the lines above.”

--Police eventually stopped Czyrski, who reportedly smelled of alcohol, had glassy and bloodshot eyes and was “very unsteady” on his feet. He told police he had one 16-ounce beer, but he failed sobriety tests and the preliminary breath test registered 0.16 percent.

He was charged with DUI – highest rate of alcohol, DUI – general impairment, reckless driving and a violation of obedience to authorized persons directing traffic. He was arraigned early Saturday by on-duty District Judge Diane Marakovits of Northampton and released on $15,000 unsecured bail.