DOVER — On October 11, 2024, Dover Police responded to a report of a driver asleep behind the wheel at the busy intersection of South Morris Street and East Blackwell Street. Officer German Liranzo arrived at the scene around 11:30 p.m., where he observed a black Toyota Tundra idling through several green lights without moving, causing nearby vehicles to honk in frustration.
Concerned about the driver’s safety and the safety of others, Officer Liranzo parked his patrol car in front of the Tundra to prevent any potential accidents. After knocking several times on the window, he managed to wake the driver, later identified as Jesus Ruiz-Hernandez, 39. Appearing confused, Ruiz-Hernandez had his vehicle still in drive and was unresponsive to verbal instructions. Officer Liranzo had to reach into the vehicle to shift it into park and turn off the ignition.
As Ruiz-Hernandez exited the truck, Officer Liranzo noticed strong signs of intoxication: bloodshot eyes, the smell of alcohol, and unsteady balance. Ruiz-Hernandez admitted he had been drinking beer at a friend’s house, and although he was cooperative, he showed signs of impairment during a series of field sobriety tests. He struggled to follow directions, swayed unsteadily, and failed to complete the exercises safely…