On Sept. 22, 2017, at approximately 2:11 a.m., State Police stopped a vehicle on State Route 33, in the town of Cheektowaga for a speeding violation.The driver of the vehicle, Joseph J. Lops, 49, of Williamsville, was found to be intoxicated. He was transported and processed at SP Buffalo, where his blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.21 percent.
Further investigation revealed Lops had a prior DWI conviction within the last 10 years; as a result was subsequently charged with:
- Aggravated driving while intoxicated, a class E felony
- Driving while intoxicated with a previous conviction within 10 years, a class E felony
- Operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or greater with prior conviction within 10 years, a class E felony
- Third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation; an unclassified misdemeanor
- Numerous vehicle and traffic violations
Lops was turned over to a sober third party and released on traffic tickets returnable to Cheektowaga Town Court Sept. 27, 2017, at 9 a.m.