Published February 21. 2024 01:45PM
by Jill Whalen jwhalen@tnonline.com
Coaldale police charged Mohammed Darr, 29, of Coaldale, with driving under the influence, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of drug paraphernalia and other offenses following a 10:07 a.m. incident on Jan. 26.
According to police, officers received a reckless driving complaint from a person who said a vehicle - later determined to be Darr’s - was “all over” Route 209 and almost struck several vehicles.
When police arrived, the vehicle was parked in the area of First and Ridge streets, and the driver - Darr - was slumped over the wheel.
Police approached the vehicle and found Darr slouched down with his eyes closed. The vehicle was still in drive and the keys were in the ignition.
Because the window was open, officers shook Darr to wake him up. Police said he tried to exit the vehicle, but officers told him to put the vehicle in park, and then exit.
Officers patted him down and placed him in handcuffs.
A 3-year-old child was inside the car.
In the vehicle, police found a green bag containing 10 small packs of CBD marijuana bags; one pack of CBD candy; a broken glass pipe, and a small pipe.
Police said Darr consented to standard field sobriety tests and found that he had slurred speech and glossy, red eyes. He was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI, taken into custody and taken to St. Luke’s-Miners in Coaldale.
Darr consented to a blood test at the hospital, which revealed the presence of fentanyl, norfentanyl, gabapentin and cannabinoids.
Police charged Darr with DUI-controlled substances; illegally operating a vehicle not equipped with ignition interlock; possession of drug paraphernalia; endangering the welfare of children, and multiple traffic offenses.