Crime & Safety
Seat Belt Traffic Stop Ends With DUI Arrest
An Emmaus man is charged with driving under the influence after a routine traffic stop
A simple seat belt violation turned into a DUI arrest when an Emmaus man drove into the 1600 block of Limeport Pike.
participating in a PennDOT approved seat belt awareness enforcement, had set up a zone in the Limeport area.
Officers were handing out information from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) about seat belt enforcement when the suspect's truck approached.
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According to the criminal complaint, Bill Madsen, 29, was drinking at his grandfather’s house before traveling through the enforcement zone.
Upon approaching the truck, officers noticed Madsen did not have a seat belt on, police say.
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Madsen’s reportedly appeared nervous and smelled of alcohol.
When told he smelled of alcohol, Madsen admitted to drinking, police say. A breathalyzer test put his BAC at .16 percent, according to police, two times the legal limit.
Officers took Madsen to the Lehigh County Central Booking Center for suspicion of drinking.
He is charged with DUI and failure to use a safety belt system.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 5.