Jerard Murphy was arrested after being seen driving "erratically" at around 12:45 a.m. Saturday, according to police
A Sparta councilman and former mayor was arrested on suspicion of DWI early Saturday morning. (File photo)SPARTA - Town Council member and former mayor Jerard "Jerry" Murphy was arrested Saturday morning on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
In a statement, Sparta police said an officer watched Murphy speeding down Mohawk Avenue and Route 517 around 12:45 a.m. He looked on as Murphy's 2007 Toyota station wagon continuously drifted off the right side of the road.
Murphy, 71, was eventually stopped on Route 517. Police smelled alcohol on his breath and asked him to perform a number of field sobriety tests, which he failed before being taken into custody for DWI and various traffic offenses.
He was released to a sober adult several hours later, and will answer to the charges at a yet to be scheduled appearance in municipal court, according to police.
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The Town Council and Mayor Christine Quinn released a statement Sunday saying they "troubled and extremely concerned" by his arrest.
"Given the legal proceedings involved and that it is a personnel matter, the Mayor and Council will reserve any further comment until the Sparta Police have completed their investigation and it has gone through the court system," they said.
Murphy has served on the Town Council since 2005, and served as the council-appointed mayor as recently as last year.
Attempts to reach him Sunday were not immediately successful.
Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
