MANHEIM, Pa. — A Lebanon County Chief Detective was driving with a blood alcohol content of nearly three times the legal limit when he was pulled over for erratic driving in Lancaster County earlier this month, charging documents state.
Jonathan Hess, 51, of Manheim, has served as Chief Detective in Lebanon County since 2021. He was pulled over by a Manheim Borough Police officer in the area of North Laurel Street and Memorial Drive on October 5, according to a criminal complaint affidavit.
The arresting officer was responding to reports of a black Jeep "driving erratically" on Route 72, the complaint states.
Hess had glassy and bloodshot eyes and smelled very strongly of alcohol, the arresting officer noted in the compliant.
When asked how much alcohol he'd consumed, Hess allegedly admitted to having "a few beers," according to the complaint.
The officer had Hess perform a series of field sobriety tests, which indicated signs of impairment, the complaint states. Hess was taken into custody and transported to the Lititz Borough Police Station, where a chemical breath test was administered.
The test indicated Hess' BAC was 0.219%, nearly three times over the legal limit, according to the complaint.
Hess is charged with DUI -- Impaired Driving and DUI -- Highest Rate of BAC.
Court records indicate the case has been transferred. Hess is still awaiting a preliminary hearing on the charges.
