Crime & Safety
Driver Crashes, Winds up in District Judge's Parking Lot
Alleged drunken driver hits tree on Main Street and then strikes a parked car in parking lot of magisterial district judge's office.
In a strange way, an Emmaus man might have thought he was doing his part to aid the criminal justice system.
Derek C. Oels, 36, of 837 Chestnut St. was driving under the influence on Monday when he hit a tree in the 100 block of Main Street, according to . But it wasn't just anywhere that his vehicle came to rest. In fact, Oels' vehicle ended up in the parking lot of where he also struck a parked car.
OK, things could have been worse. He might have struck Butler's vehicle, but that apparently was not the case.
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Either fate intervened or perhaps Oels thought he was doing his part to expedite the legal process by almost literally landing at Butler's front door. Instead, he wound up taking a few side trips, according to police.
Oels first was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest for treatment of his injuries, police said. He was next taken to Lehigh County Prison by Allentown police for having outstanding unspecified warrants. DUI-related charges are pending blood-alcohol tests.
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In other recent police incidents involving Emmaus:
Cited: 17-year-old boy Oct. 14 for having tobacco at 500 Macungie Ave., police said.
Cited: 17- and 18-year-old boys Oct. 15 for underage drinking in the first block of E. Main Street, police said; 17-year-old released to parents; 18-year-old taken by to for possible alcohol poisoning.
Charged: 15-year-old boy arrested and taken to Lehigh County Juvenile Detention Oct. 23 after assaulting a police officer at the boy's residence in the 600 block of Walnut Street, police said; police were called to a domestic disturbance between the boy and his mother; charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest are pending with Lehigh County Juvenile Probation.
Burglary: Reported Oct. 25 in the 100 block of Alpine Street, police said; jewelry removed from the home during daylight hours.
Borough police remind the public to report any suspicious activity they may see to 610-437-5252. They add that timely reporting is critical when vehicles or people appear to be out of place.