SOUTH DEERFIELD — A 32-year-old South Deerfield man was arrested and is facing drunken driving and drug-related charges after police stopped him for speeding and a marked lanes violation on Sunderland Road.
Scott W. Russo of Duncan Drive was arraigned Tuesday on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol, possession of a Class B drug, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, speeding and a marked lanes violation in Greenfield District Court.
According to a report by Deerfield police officer Brent Griffin, Russo was recorded driving 54 mph in a 40 mph zone early Saturday morning. As he turned onto Sugarloaf Street from Sunderland Road, Russo’s vehicle crossed over the solid double yellow lines, so Griffin initiated a motor vehicle stop.
Upon approaching Russo’s truck, Griffin wrote he could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from within the vehicle and observed Russo’s eyes to be glossy and bloodshot, and his speech slurred. According to the report, Russo told police he was coming from The O’s bar in Sunderland.
Officers also observed an open container of beer in the driver’s side door compartment.
Russo failed a series of field sobriety tests, according to the report, and refused to take a preliminary breath test.
He was placed under arrest and also refused to take a breath test during booking. During an inventory of his possessions, police located a small bag containing a white, powdery substance consistent with cocaine, according to the report. Griffin wrote that Russo denied it was his, and accused officers of putting the bag in his wallet.
Russo was released on personal recognizance following his arraignment and is due back in court Aug. 9 for a pretrial conference.