CLEARFIELD TWP — A hearing is pending for a suspected drunken driver who was more than 3½ times the legal limit for alcohol when he led police on a short vehicle chase in the township.

During the pursuit last month, state police said, they could see James F. Jackson, 34, of Clearfield Township chugging from a big bottle of liquor and smoking a cigarette.

Three miles later, he finally pulled over and offered police a reason why it took him so long to stop.

“He related that he did not stop because he knew he was DUI,” according to court documents. ”He also related that he wanted to drink more and continue to smoke his cigarette.”

Jackson is facing felony and other charges in the case. Authorities said they expect the defendant to turn himself in for arraignment at a still-to-be-determined date.

Police were on routine patrol about 1 a.m. March 11 when they saw Jackson run a red light at Route 422 and Bonniebrook Road, according to documents. The officers turned on their emergency lights and siren and got behind the suspect’s car.

They noted that while trying to make the traffic stop, they saw him “drinking out of a large bottle of liquor,” according to a police affidavit. He also was puffing on a cigarette.

Once he stopped, police said they got to his car and smelled a “strong odor” of alcohol. On the front passenger seat, they noticed a half-empty bottle of rum.

He was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for a blood test. Toxicology results subsequently showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.293 percent. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.

Trooper David Thompson said police that night left Jackson in the care and custody of the hospital “due to his level of intoxication.” He was treated and later released.

The suspect is charged with a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude police.

Additionally, he is charged with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, driving with an open container of alcohol and several other traffic violations.

Jackson’s preliminary hearing will be set when he is arraigned.