Palmer Police Veteran Charged with DUI

A Palmer Township Police Department veteran has been placed on administrative leave after being charged with drunken driving, Police Chief Larry Palmer has announced.

Susan Siegfried, 49, was charged in District Judge Jacqueline Tashner's Palmer Township court with two counts of drunken driving, the second being DUI at the highest rate, careless driving and a motor vehicle violation.

Both the DUI charges are first offenses.

The criminal complaint was filed by Lt. Thomas Trinchere.

Township police officers were dispatched 11:14 p.m. Saturday for a single-vehicle accident in the 300 block of South Nulton Avenue, Chief Palmer said in a press release.

Siegfried, who lives on that street, was outside the vehicle and showing signs of intoxication, police said. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries and a blood draw, police said.

Investigating officers upon the scene discovered that a Jeep Wrangler had left the roadway and struck a tree.

Her blood alcohol content came back 0.32, four times the legal limit, police said.

Siegfried has been placed on administrative leave pending a department investigation, police said. She is awaiting a preliminary hearing being scheduled.