8 Arrested, 2 Cited During Newtown Bypass DUI Checkpoint

Eight people were arrested during a DUI checkpoint last weekend on the Newtown Bypass, authorities with the Bucks County District Attorney's office said. According to law enforcement officials, the arrests were made for driving under the influence, drug and paraphernalia possession, and underage drinking.

During the checkpoint, which was held Saturday from 10 p.m. to Sunday at 3 a.m., police made contact with about 600 motorists.

According to the DA's office:

• Seven drivers were charged with driving under the influence, one of whom was driving with a child under the age of 5. Two of the seven were also charged with possession of small amounts of marijuana, and three were charged with possessing drug paraphernalia.
• A 17-year-old passenger in one vehicle was charged with underage drinking and possession of a small amount of marijuana.
• Two citations were issued to drivers who made illegal u-turns over a median while trying to avoid the checkpoint.
• One driver who showed signs of impairment but not sufficiently to be charged with DUI was stopped from driving and was allowed to arrange for an alternate ride home.

A total of 28 officers from nine municipal police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police participated, with Northampton Township handling the processing of defendants, authorities said.