SUGARCREEK, Pa. (EYT) — A Franklin woman is accused of being under the influence of methamphetamine and other controlled substances while DUI with a nine-year-old passenger in her vehicle.

Court documents indicate the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department filed the following criminal charges against 31-year-old Erica Lynn Sibble, of Franklin, on Tuesday, September 25:

• Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Misdemeanor 1
• DUI: Controlled Substance or Metabolite 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
• DUI: Controlled Substance — Schedule 2 or 3 — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
• Possession Of Marijuana, Misdemeanor
• Exceed Max Speed Limit Established By 18 MPH, Misdemeanor
• Fail to use safety belt — driver and vehicle occupant, Summary
• Not Use Low Beam, Summary

According to a criminal complaint, on August 31, Patrolman Johnson, of the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department, was traveling south on State Route 8 when he noticed a vehicle behind him driving with its high beams on. He pulled over and then pulled back out behind the vehicle in question, a dark-colored SUV, and noted that it still had its high beams on. The vehicle was going up to 63 miles per hour then back down to 55 miles per hour in an “almost constant speed variation cycle” through the 45 mile per hour zone, while also drifting side to side in its lane in a weaving/swaying motion.

Patrolman Johnson then turned on his emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop.

According to the complaint, the SUV applied its brakes abruptly and then released the brakes and continued to drive until Patrolman Johnson initiated his air horn. The vehicle then tapped its brakes several times and made a right turn into a parking lot.

Patrolman Johnson approached the vehicle and observed a strong odor of perfume from inside the vehicle. He also noted the female driver, later identified as Erica Lynn Sibble, had a nine-year-old child laying down asleep, unrestrained, in the back of the car.

The complaint states that when Patrolman Johnson ran her information, her license came back as valid, but it also included information that she had an active warrant for truancy. Patrolman Highfield was dispatched to assist due to the warrant and the minor in the vehicle. Constable Westover was also contacted.

Patrolman Johnson then returned to the vehicle and explained to Sibble that she had an active warrant for her arrest and that she was to be taken to the Venango County jail until she was able to pay the fine. Sibble then made a phone call to have the juvenile picked up.

After Sibble was placed under arrest, Patrolman Johnson observed an odor of marijuana on her. He asked if she had been drinking, and she said she had not. However, she did allegedly admit to smoking about a “bowl and a half” of marijuana two hours earlier.

A search incident to arrest was performed, and a clear plastic sandwich bag containing a green leafy substance that smelled like marijuana was discovered in the center console storage compartment of the vehicle, the complaint indicates.

According to the complaint, after initially refusing, Sibble consented to a blood draw at UPMC Northwest. The completed NMS Labs report showed she had amphetamine, methamphetamine, Delta-9 Carboxy THC, and Delta-9 THC in her blood.

Based on the investigation. charges against Sibble were filed on Tuesday, September 25, in Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 31, with Judge Lowrey presiding.