Originally posted by Red Orbit Breaking News

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BALDWIN PLACE, N.Y. - A drunken driver passed out at the wheel of his van in a parking lot and unknowingly floored the accelerator for so long that the smoking engine nearly blew up, authorities said.

William Collins, 37, from Mahopac, was charged with driving while intoxicated Tuesday after police found him slumped inside his van outside a gas station.


Sgt. Joseph Lutz of the state police said troopers came upon the smoking van and noticed Collins asleep at the wheel, his foot on the gas.

They tried to awaken him, without success. They smashed a window, with one of the troopers cutting his hand and having to get stitches.

Lutz said he did not know how long Collins had been passed out, but it put a scare in the troopers. "By the time the troopers responded, the guy's engine was about to blow up," Lutz said Wednesday.

Collins posted $500 bail and was released to a family member. He is due in court July 11.

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