Police: Drunk Pickup Driver Had 4 Kids On Board

NEW HAVEN (WWJ) -  Deputies say he had three empty vodka bottles and four kids in his truck.

Steven Simone, 48,  been charged with drunken driving and child endangerment after a traffic stop in New Haven Sunday evening.

Macomb County Sheriff's officials said they got a call just after 8 p.m. about a possible impaired driver along 27 Mile Road, near Meadow Creek Blvd.

When they pulled him over, deputies first noted that Simone had four children as passengers in his Dodge Dakota pickup; and then noticed the empty liquor bottles on floorboard.

Deputies said the truck had numerous equipment violations and, in talking to Simone, it was apparent that he had been drinking.

A Breathalyzer test showed Simone had blood alcohol level of 0.29 percent — well over the legal limit.

Simone was arraigned Tuesday and released on a $5,000 cash/surety bond on the condition he wears an electronic tether.

His kids, ranging in age from 8 to 15, and are now in their mother's custody.