A 71-year-old Silver Spring man was arrested on October 27 following a traffic stop in Queen Anne’s County that resulted in multiple charges, including driving under the influence, attempting to elude police and driving with a suspended license.
According to authorities, Deputy Meehan was conducting traffic enforcement near Dominion Road and Route 50 at approximately 10:24 p.m. when a passing vehicle’s registration plate was found not to match the vehicle.
The deputy followed the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop near Route 50 and South Piney Road. Despite the activation of emergency lights and a siren, the driver reportedly continued onto Route 18 before entering the Chester Village parking lot.
Police identified the driver as James Dunlavey, 71, of Silver Spring. Authorities said Dunlavey exited the vehicle and attempted to leave the area before deputies stopped him.
According to the report, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol on Dunlavey’s breath and observed an open alcoholic beverage in the vehicle’s center console. Authorities also determined that Dunlavey had an active warrant related to DUI and eluding charges, along with a license restriction requiring an ignition interlock device. Dunlavey allegedly refused to participate in field sobriety tests and later declined a blood alcohol concentration test. Investigators also determined that the vehicle was unregistered and displayed a license plate belonging to a rental company vehicle.
Dunlavey was arrested and faces numerous charges and traffic citations, including DUI, DWI, reckless driving, negligent driving, driving while suspended, violating an ignition interlock restriction and multiple counts related to attempting to elude police.
