Witnesses Saw Brennan Fall Outside of Wawa

Several eyewitnesses saw state Rep. Joseph Brennan fall and hit his head as he got out of his car at the Wawa at Broad Street and Stefko Boulevard on Wednesday night, prompting a police call and his arrest on drunk driving charges, city police said today.

After a few of those on the scene helped the 47-year-old legislator get to his feet, he got back into his car and drove off, said Det. Sgt. Jeremy Alleshouse, in an e-mail to media members today.

One of the bystanders, whom police did not identify, got in his car and followed Brennan to his South Bethlehem office and called 911. Police summoned an ambulance to the scene, because of the blow to the head, and Brennan was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in Fountain Hill, where he was examined and a blood sample was taken for a legal blood alcohol test, police said.

The results of that test are not yet available and the final charges will not be filed until then, Alleshouse said. It may take up to a week for those results to return, he added.

On Thursday, Brennan issued a statement apologizing to his family and constituents for his “dangerous decision,” to drive while impaired. The legislator said he has had a “long and personal struggle with alcohol” throughout his adult life.

A former member of Northampton County Council, Brennan, a Democrat, has represented the 133rd Legislative District, which covers portions of Bethlehem, Fountain Hill, eastern Salisbury Township and other parts of Lehigh County, since 2007.