From Mirror staff reports
A Hollidaysburg man, who state police said was passed out behind the wheel in November, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.314 percent, almost four times the legal limit.
Police allege Donald K. Messner, 57, of 529 Blair St. was so drunk he had to be woken up by the state trooper who encountered his red 2002 Kia Rio on Kettle Road, near Fort Roberdeau Road, the morning of Nov. 10.
According to court records, it was about 10 a.m. when the trooper found Messner, passed out with the vehicle's keys in his hand.
Police noted there was no license plate on the Kia, and when the trooper roused Messner, he couldn't get the door unlocked, prompting the trooper to walk around to the passenger side and open the door.
The vehicle reeked of alcohol, and Messner was too drunk to retrieve his driver's license from his wallet, police said. After the trooper took the wallet, pulled out the license and found the vehicle's registration card in the glove compartment, a check of vehicle records showed the Kia to be unregistered.
Messner was also too drunk to perform field sobriety tests, police said. He was taken to Tyrone Hospital for blood alcohol testing.
Messner is due to appear Jan. 8 before Magisterial District Judge Fred B. Miller for a preliminary hearing on driving under the influence and related charges.
