Police Arrest Monroe Woman for Operating Under the Influence

The following information was supplied by the Monroe Police Department. No arrested person is guilty until so judged in a court of law.

A Gay Bower Road woman recently told police someone drove across her lawn at 9:34 a.m. and that she got in her car and followed her to Honey Tree Preschool and Child Care on Main Street.

When officers arrived, an employee told them the driver, Melissa Pinto, 33, of Cutlers Farm Road, kept falling asleep, according to the report. Police said Monoe EMS was called in to evaluate her.

Police said Pinto refused medical treatment and did not remember driving across the lawn, adding she spoke slowly to the officer, appeared confused, kept closing her eyes and was unsteady on her feet. When she read a story to the children, police said Pinto kept closing her eyes and falling asleep.

Field tests determined Pinto was under the influence, according to police, who said she told officers she had not been drinking but did take prescription medication.

Pinto told the officers she has narcolepsy and was having an episode, police said. But she was arrested and a urine sample was taken to test for narcotics, according to the report.

Pinto was charged with evading responsibility, operating under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane and with the criminal charge of risk of injury to a minor because police said Pinto's young daughter was in her vehicle with her at the time of the incident.

She was released on a total bond of $1,000 for an April 18 court date for the risk of injury charge and an April 22 court date for the motor vehicle charges.