A Palmerton Area School District director has been admitted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program following a February 2025 traffic stop that resulted in driving under the influence charges in Lehigh Township.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Lehigh Township Police Officer Collin Haupt, Brandon Mazepa, 33, was operating a black 2023 Hyundai Kona on Blue Mountain Drive when Haupt observed the vehicle and noted that its registration had expired as of Jan. 31, 2025. The officer conducted a traffic stop in a parking lot at 1439 Blue Mountain Drive.

When asked about his whereabouts, the complaint states that Mazepa first told police he had come from “Allentown Brew Works” and said he was a manager there, but then apologized and clarified he was “actually coming from Bethlehem Brew Works.”

A toxicology report received on April 2 showed that Mazepa’s blood alcohol content was 0.225% at the time of the arrest.

On July 3, Northampton County Judge John M. Morganelli approved Mazepa’s admission into the county’s ARD program for DUI offenders. As part of the program, Mazepa will serve one year of probation.

Conditions of the ARD program include attending and successfully completing a certified Alcohol Highway Safety Program; participating in any recommended counseling; seeking or maintaining employment or education; notifying the DUI program of any change of address; and paying all program costs.

Mazepa’s driver’s license was suspended for 60 days. The court ordered that once Mazepa serves at least six months of probation and all costs are paid in full, the case can be closed and submitted for expungement.

Summary charges for driving an unregistered vehicle and lacking financial responsibility were withdrawn on July 3.