LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – A routine traffic stop turned into a serious incident on the evening of May 28, when Lewisburg Police arrested two individuals on charges including driving under the influence and child neglect after two young children were found in a vehicle driven by an allegedly intoxicated motorist.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Lewisburg Police Department, the incident involved a silver Volkswagen Jetta with a West Virginia license plate without a functioning taillight. The vehicle reportedly stalled multiple times near the intersection of Jefferson Street North and I-64 West before continuing onto Jefferson Street.
After initiating a traffic stop, the officer contacted the vehicle’s driver in the parking lot of the Shell gas station on Grand Avenue. Inside the car were two children, approximately 7 years old, seated in the back. The driver, identified as Brittany Duncan, appeared visibly intoxicated by exhibiting slurred speech, confusion and drowsiness, according to the complaint. Her front-seat passenger, Joseph Reedy, also showed signs of impairment.
Field sobriety tests confirmed that Duncan was under the influence, with a portable breathalyzer registering a blood alcohol concentration of .129. Duncan reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol. A subsequent test conducted using an Intoximeter at the Lewisburg office recorded a BAC of .118.
Reedy also tested above the legal alcohol limit and was deemed unable to operate the vehicle. He was further charged for knowingly permitting Duncan to drive while intoxicated and for endangering the children present in the vehicle.
Both Duncan and Reedy were placed under arrest. Duncan was charged with Driving Under the Influence with Minors and Child Neglect. Reedy faces charges of Child Neglect and Knowingly Permitting a DUI, according to the criminal complaint.
Child Protective Services was notified, and a referral was filed. The two children were safely released into the custody of their grandmother at the scene, while the vehicle was towed.
Both suspects were processed at the Lewisburg Police Department before being transported to Southern Regional Jail.
