SLIPPERY ROCK — A driver pulled over for a traffic violation was three times the state's legal limit for alcohol with his 15-year-old son riding in the vehicle, police said.

Stephen D. Kennedy, 51, of Slippery Rock Township faces a preliminary hearing next month on charges of child endangerment and driving under the influence stemming from the May 30 traffic stop.

Slippery Rock police said they stopped Kennedy around 10:30 p.m. on West Cooper Street after they checked his vehicle registration and found it had expired more than six months ago.

An officer smelled alcohol on Kennedy's breath while talking to him, police said. The officer also noticed the defendant's juvenile son in the front passenger seat.

Kennedy admitted that he had “a few” drinks before driving, according to charging documents. He also told the officer that he was driving home after picking up his son at a bonfire.

Police eventually took the defendant to the Slippery Rock University police station for a breath test, which allegedly showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.242 percent. In Pennsylvania, a level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated.

Kennedy's preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 24 at the office of District Judge William O'Donnell in Slippery Rock.

Online court documents did not list an attorney for Kennedy, and he could not be reached for comment.