A Mertztown man is facing charges after driving intoxicated into the home of a Fleetwood resident.
On July 7 at 10:47 p.m., Richard J. Cumberledge Jr., 28, was witnessed leaving the rear of 45 West Main Street in Fleetwood in a silver SUV. A concerned citizen telephoned Berks County Radio to advise that Cumberledge, and passenger Jonathan A. Grim, 40, also of Mertztown, appeared intoxicated and were a possible danger to the community.
Police were dispatched and were on the scene within 30 seconds of dispatch. Upon arrival, Chief Stinsky of Fleetwood Police observed a vehicle matching the description. The vehicle emerged from Wood Alley and turned north on North Richmond Street. Upon seeing the police vehicle, the SUV driver accelerated rapidly, narrowly missing the police vehicle and several parked cars before losing control and striking a house in the Unit block of North Richmond Street. The driver displayed classic signs of intoxication and was immediately taken into custody without incident.
Investigation determined that the subjects were refused service at two local bars before attempting to leave the area. Having been parked in by bar patrons, the operator accelerated through metal drums containing waste oil and struck a parked car and trash dumpster before leaving the area without making required crash notifications.
The vehicle came to rest when the operator lost control and struck the outside of a bedroom wall, causing debris and furniture to cascade into the bedroom, landing inches from an occupied bed.
Charges are pending completion of the investigation, receipt of lab reports and coordination with the Berks County DA’s Office.
Fleetwood Police were assisted on the scene by the Fleetwood EMS, Fire Police and Fire Department.