Courts. (Credit: Flickr/Creative Commons)
A Warrington man with a .157% BAC during a traffic stop last summer was not prosecuted last week on two felony DUI charges for a 3rd or more offense, but rather pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI charges in Bucks County Common Pleas Court, receiving five years’ probation.
Evan Francis Studley, 28, of 1500 block of Stuckert Road, pleaded guilty to DUI with a BAC of .157% for the third or more time, and DUI-General impairment, for the third offense or more, per court documents.
Studley, originally charged with five DUI felonies, had three of the felonies dismissed at a preliminary hearing in January -- DUI of a Schedule 2 or 3 controlled substance, 3rd offense or more, DUI of a controlled substance-impaired ability, 3rd offense or more, and DUI of a controlled substance- combination of drugs and alcohol, 3rd offense or more, according to court documents.
He is also ordered to be on home confinement with electronic monitoring for one year, beginning April 22. Common Pleas President Judge Raymond F. McHugh also ordered Studly to pay a $1,500 fine.
On Aug. 4, 2024, at 3:24 a.m., police were south on South Easton Road near New Britain Road in Doylestown Township, Bucks County, when a black 2014 Mercedes-Benz sedan, driven by Studley, exited a traffic circle without signaling.
Police said the Mercedes continued south on South Easton Road toward Route 611, where Studley merged without signaling again, driving over the fog line with both passenger side tires.
Studley fluctuated speeds and weaved within his travel lane, per the report. Police activated emergency lights on Route 611 near Almshouse Road, but Studley took seven seconds to acknowledge police before stopping on Route 611 near the entrance to Neshaminy Manor.
Upon contacting Studley, he asked them about the turn signal when exiting the traffic light, police said. His speech was thick and slurred, and his movements were slow and exaggerated, per the complaint. There was an odor of alcohol emanating from inside the car, police said.
Studley was reluctant to make eye contact, but his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. When asked how much he had to drink, Studley said he had not been drinking.
Then, he said, “Daytime, not recently.”
He was asked to exit the car and advised that he exhibited signs of impairment, police said. He refused field sobriety tests, but accepted a breathalyzer test, per the complaint.
At 3:43 a.m., Studley consented to a blood draw for BAC testing, and was taken to Doylestown Hospital, police said.
On Aug. 23, police received the toxicology report on Studley, which showed a BAC level of .157%, and that is blood contained Delta-9 THC and amphetamines, per the complaint.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
