Pittsville man charged with DUI after crash in Wicomico County

A Pittsville, Maryland man was arrested on DUI charges in Wicomico County after police say he drove drunk and struck a telephone pole.

Maryland State Police were called to a single vehicle crash around 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the area of Old Ocean City Road and Bent Pine Road.

Troopers arrived and met with the driver, identified as Michael Ruarke Jr., who was driving a white pickup truck at the time of the incident.

Troopers detected a strong odor of an alcohol coming from Ruarke’s breath, according to police. Further investigating revealed that he was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and traveled off the roadway, striking a telephone pole.

Ruarke refused medical treatment. He was transported to the Salisbury Barrack where he refused to submit to the intoximeter test and was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.