Photo by James {{ photo.photographer.last_name }}.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Feb. 26, 2024.
A Hatfield Township man convicted two years ago of a misdemeanor DUI arrest in Montgomery Township has been charged by Lower Salford Township Police with felony DUI for driving with a blood-alcohol level of .265% during an incident in February.
Harvey Gilbert Mangal III, 40, of the 1800 block of Welsh Road, has also been charged with felony DUI – general impairment and summary charges of disregarding traffic lanes and driving an uninspected vehicle, according to court records.
Charges were filed in March, and Mangal was arraigned June 13 before Magisterial District Judge Christopher J. Cerski, who set bail at $10,000 unsecured, according to court documents.
According to the criminal complaint, a Lower Salford officer began to follow a white Jeep Grand Cherokee east on the 400 block of Main Street in Harleysville, driven by Mangal, at 12:22 a.m. Feb. 26.
At the intersection of Main Street and Kulp Road, Mangal drove onto the double yellow lines and then back into his lane, police allege. Then, Mangal's driver's side tires went completely over the double yellow lines, straddling the lines for about 50 feet along the 300 block of Main Street, police said.
The officer activated emergency lights, at which time, per the complaint, Mangal returned to his lane of travel, but then drove onto the line dividing his lane from the center turning lane.
Mangal then came to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway before the intersection with Oak Drive, police said. Then, he turned onto Oak Drive, coming to a stop.
Police said Mangal’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his speech was slow and slurred, and there was an odor of alcohol in the car.
When he was told that he was stopped because he crossed the double yellow lines, Mangal said, “I know,” according to the complaint. When asked how much he had to drink, Mangal allegedly replied, “A couple.”
Police said Mangal’s dexterity was poor when attempting to retrieve his license, registration and insurance, but only finding his license.
Another officer asked Mangal how he was doing, and he said, “Drinking,” according to the affidavit. Police said there was an open container of Crown Royal Apple on the passenger floorboard.
Mangal agreed to do field sobriety tests, police said, but was unsteady and swaying and showed signs of impairment during the tests.
Mangal then took a preliminary breath test that showed positive for alcohol, police said.
Police arrested Mangal for DUI and took him to Lansdale Police for blood withdrawal and processing via VMSC EMS, per the affidavit.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 31 at noon before Magisterial District Judge Adam T. Katzman.
In March 2022, Mangal pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor DUI offense and received six months’ probation, per order of Common Pleas Judge Risa Vetri Ferman, according to court records.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
