PORTSMOUTH — A Portsmouth woman was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle under the influence with young children as passengers, police said.
Heather Joseph, 44, was taken into custody on the evening of May 25 after failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, exhibiting signs of alcohol impairment, and refusing a chemical breath test.
Portsmouth Police officers, responding to an emergency call around 6:20 p.m. with sirens blaring, noticed a silver Honda Odyssey not giving way on Burma Road.
Despite attempts to alert the driver with various siren tones, the vehicle did not pull over for about half a mile.
Upon stopping the vehicle, officers found Joseph with the strong odor of alcohol on her breath.
Two children, ages 6 and 9, along with one adult, were in the car.
After a field sobriety test, Joseph was arrested and later refused a chemical breath test at the station.
Joseph faces multiple charges including DUI with a passenger under 13, refusal to submit to a chemical test, and failure to yield to emergency vehicles.
She is due in the 2nd Division District Court for arraignment on June 6.
