Pennsylvania State Police Photo by Tony Di Domizio.
Rory Thomas McGuirk, of the 100 block of West Main Street, Pottstown, refused a sobriety test and a chemical test of his blood, state police said
A Pottstown man with two prior DUI convictions has been charged with felony DUI of a controlled substance after he was allegedly found passed out behind the wheel of a black 2011 Cadillac CTS sedan on the off ramp of Route 422 West to Egypt Road in Upper Providence Township in March.
Rory Thomas McGuirk, 41, of the 100 block of West Main Street, also faces a misdemeanor charge of illegally driving a car not equipped with an ignition interlock and a summary offense of stopping at an intersection or crossing to prevent obstruction, per court documents.
At 3:40 p.m. March 30, Pennsylvania State troopers were dispatched to a report of an unresponsive man in a black sedan on the 422 West offramp, police said. Upon arrival, troopers found Upper Providence police and Lower Providence EMS rendering aid to the driver of the car, alleged to be McGuirk. He also had an unresponsive passenger in the front seat, police said.
McGuirk’s license indicated he used an ignition interlock, due to DUI convictions, police said. The sedan did not have the properly working ignition interlock as required, police said, but were heavily tampered with.
EMTs told troopers multiple loud knocks on the vehicle’s window were unsuccessful in waking up McGuirk, police allege, whose car was still running and who was now blocking traffic on the ramp.
Troopers said McGuirk was confused and disoriented, with bloodshot, glassy eyes and constricted pupils. McGuirk allegedly told police he was tired and just sleeping in his car – while blocking traffic.
Police said McGuirk declined field sobriety tests and a chemical test of his blood, but was taken to an area hospital by EMS.
A front seat passenger, Christopher Shifflett, was also taken to the hospital for being unresponsive, police said.
A summons was eventually issued to McGuirk on May 22, police said. McGuirk was not jailed and there is no bail, per court records. A preliminary hearing is set for July 22 at 10:30 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
