Crime & Safety
Schnecksville Man Charged with DUI After 3-Car Crash
Officers found several bottles of alcoholic and malt beverage bottles, some opened, on the passenger floor of Dana Berg's vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.
A Schnecksville man later charged with drunken driving was taken into custody after driving on the shoulder of the road to pass, striking a disabled vehicle, and veering into another car in a westbound lane on Interstate 78 in Upper Saucon Township, according to a criminal complaint.
Dana Berg, 54, and his vehicle were found by state police on May 12 facing east in the I-78 grassy median at mile marker 61. He was looking for identification and other documents and refused medical treatment, telling officers he was the operator of the vehicle and had no passengers, the complaint says.
Officers were responding to a call about a disabled vehicle when they received word that it was involved in a crash. Witnesses and other drivers involved in the crash indicated that Berg used the shoulder to pass, striking the disabled vehicle, before veering into the westbound lane and striking another car.
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Berg had bloodshot, glassy eyes and his breath smelled of alcohol and malt- brewed beverages, the complaint says. Officers found several bottles of alcoholic and malt beverage bottles, some opened, on the passenger floor of his vehicle.
“I’ve had a few,” Berg is quoted in the complaint as telling officers when questioned about the bottles. He said he consumed two or three bottles of alcohol earlier in the day. He was slurring his speech and appeared confused.
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Berg also had difficulty locating his license and other materials, the complaint says, asking officers several times what it was he needed to find. Officers told Berg to remain in his vehicle but moments later he was found walking around the median, stumbling around and losing his footing.
Officers tried to perform a field sobriety test but ended the attempt after Berg was unable to keep his balance, the complaint says. He was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI.
Berg was later charged with DUI, overtaking a vehicle on the right, not driving at a safe speed, careless driving, and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for June 25.
Berg was sent to the Lehigh County Central Booking Center and refused a blood test. The complaint did not list his blood-alcohol content.