Staff writer
A South Franklin Township woman was arrested on a number of charges including driving under the influence of alcohol and escape after a traffic stop on Interstate 79 in South Strabane Township.
Rebecca C. Burig, 49, of 350 Old Scales Road, was stopped by Trooper Brian Bell while driving south near the north junction with Interstate 70 just before 11 p.m. Thursday. After Burig failed field sobriety tests, Bell escorted her to the police cruiser and told her that she was being arrested.
Burig refused to follow instructions and put her hands on the hood of the cruiser, police said. When Bell tried to place her in handcuffs, she also resisted.
Bell warned Burig that if she did not comply, he would have to use the Taser. Burig ran to her vehicle. Bell attempted to use the Taser twice as Burig ran around her car two times, court records indicate.
Burig got into the driver's seat of her car and tried to close the door, but Bell blocked the door with his foot. He forcibly removed her from the car. He was able to place her into custody after getting assistance from other officers.
Her blood-alcohol content was determined to be twice the 0.08 percent limit presumed for intoxication.
She was arraigned before District Judge Curt Thompson on charges of DUI, reckless driving, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, simple assault, reckless endangerment, escape, public drunkenness, failure to observe lane restrictions, careless driving and harassment. Burig was released from Washington County Jail Friday morning after posting $500 of a $5,000 percentage bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday before District Judge Jay Weller.