Police: Man charged with DWI after getting caught with open beer, empty 12 pack

A South Jersey man was charged with driving while intoxicated in Jersey City after police caught him with an open beer and an empty 12 pack in the passenger seat of his car, police said. 

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

Michael Sigmund, 45, of Turnersville, was charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI, use/influence of controlled dangerous substance), driving with a suspended license, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and reckless driving, according to Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo.

At 4 p.m. yesterday, Port Authority police received a report from a motorist that a 1991 Lincoln was in the north tube of the Holland Tunnel, traveling westbound, crossing over the double white lines and striking the sides of the tunnel, officials said.

When the Lincoln exited the tunnel, a Port Authority police officer on patrol at the Holland Tunnel pulled the car over at the intersection of 14th Street and Jersey Avenue in Jersey City. The driver was alone in the car and said he had been “checking his phone,” authorities said.

The suspect fumbled through his belongings for his paperwork and his speech was slurred. A subsequent computer check showed that Sigmund’s license had been suspended, police said.

When he exited the vehicle, it was evident his pants were wet. An open bottle of beer and the remains of a 12 pack of beer were seen on the passenger seat, officials said.

Sigmund was swaying and unable to stand and it even appeared that he fell asleep while attempting to stand.  He later failed a field sobriety test, authorities said.

A prescription bottle with an orange label and yellow pills was in the suspect’s possession, along with a breath mint container containing two plastic tubes a folded dollar bill an white powder, police said.

As a result, Sigmund was arrested and his car was impounded, officials said.