Niagara Falls Police were dispatched to the intersection of Ontario Avenue and Lockport Street around 5:30am on October 20th for a check the welfare call. Dispatch notified officers that a dark-colored sedan was reportedly occupied and had been parked in the middle of the intersection for an extended period of time.
Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle idling on scene facing westbound. Emergency patrol lights were activated and they initiated a traffic stop. As officers approached the vehicle, they observed it to be running and occupied with an unconscious male driver, unconscious female passenger and a baby who was screaming.
Both the male driver and female passenger were asleep and woken up by officers who instructed them to turn off and exit the vehicle. As the male driver exited the vehicle, officers observed him putting unknown items into the pocket of his hoodie and waistband.
Inside the vehicle, officers saw numerous empty containers and bottles of alcohol. For safety purposes, the male driver was instructed to place his hands on top of the vehicle to be patted down for weapons.
Officers search him and located what appeared to be a firearm tucked in his waistband. He was placed in custody and put in the back of a patrol vehicle and transported to police headquarters.
While at police headquarters, the male underwent testing or impairment by drugs or alcohol. He did not exhibit any cues during the horizontal game nystagmus, the walk and turn or the one leg stand. Officers then placed him in one of the cells to wait for arraignment.
Child protective services were called due to the male and female falling asleep in a driving car with the baby in the back seat. It is unknown if the child was removed from the mother's custody at the scene. No further information is available at this time.
Parents Fall Asleep at the Wheel in Middle of Intersection with Baby in Backseat, Gun in the Car