Trooper Man Arrested for DUI on Pothouse Road

A Trooper man was arrested for DUI on Pothouse Road last weekend after an officer witnessed him weave in and out of his lane, Schuylkill Township Police are reporting.

Dane Michael Mandato, 26, faces charges of careless driving, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninspected vehicle, and three counts of DUI stemming from the September 30 incident.

At 3:15 a.m. that morning, according to court documents, an officer witnessed a red Ford Explorer straddling the middle of Route 29 as it turned onto Pothouse Road. The officer followed the vehicle on E Pothouse and, after watching it swerve into the other lane several times, pulled it over.

When the officer spoke with the driver, identified by his passport as Mandato, he smelled alcohol and noted that Mandato’s eyes were glassy and bloodshot. His speech was also severely slurred.

When the officer asked how much he had had to drink, Mandato replied, “I’m designated driver. I’m good.”

Mandato, after interrupting the officer several times, failed one field sobriety test and refused to continue further. A check of his Explorer revealed that it’s inspection and registration had both expired in the summer.

Mandato was placed under arrest and taken to Phoenixville Hospital to have blood drawn for testing. His hearing has yet to be scheduled.