Credit: Swatara police
State Rep. John Galloway has waived his Central Pennsylvania DUI case to trial as new details about the incident come to light.
Court records from Dauphin County show that Galloway, a 59-year-old Democrat from Falls Township’s Levittown section, has a formal arraignment on a charge of DUI set for August before a Dauphin County judge. The records state that Galloway waived his right to a preliminary hearing earlier this month.
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Galloway has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2006. His district covers all of Bristol Borough, Falls Township, Tullytown, and parts of Bristol Township, Middletown, and Morrisville.
Police in Swatara Township, which is near the state capital of Harrisburg, said in an affidavit of probable cause that they were dispatched to the McDonald’s drive-thru on Eisenhower Boulevard at 11:52 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14 for a reported two-vehicle crash. Officers arrived and the one driver said Galloway, who was operating his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, struck their vehicle from behind in the drive-thru. There did not appear to be damage or injuries.
An officer immediately noted that Galloway’s “eyes were extremely bloodshot and glassy.” His vehicle also smelled “strongly” of alcoholic beverage, police said.
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Galloway first said he had a few drinks and then changed his answer to none, an officer wrote, adding Galloway later said he had been drinking at the Mulligan’s bar nearby. Galloway denied taking any medications.
Police said Galloway was unable to follow a horizontal gaze test and was unable to completed several other tests, including being unable to maintain a standing position during an evaluation. He reportedly also agreed to a portable breath test, which returned a positive for alcohol on his breath.
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Galloway was transported by police and had a blood sample taken, court records stated.
In the case, Galloway is free on $1,000 unsecured bail.
Galloway was arrested in Harrisburg in 2011 for DUI, which was confirmed in court records obtained by this news organization. Galloway took part in a diversionary program for first-time, nonviolent offenders that wipes a criminal record if successfully completed. Under the rules, previous cases can be used if a new offenses occurs within 10 years of the incident.
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Galloway’s office and a spokesperson declined new comment, but Galloway initially released a statement last month apologizing for the incident.
“I recognize that I have a problem. I should have recognized the problem the first time. I will seek treatment and will enter a rehab program as soon as possible. There are no excuses here. I apologize to my family and friends and to everyone in Bucks County who I am honored to represent. I will accept the consequences,” he said in last month’s statement.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
