'Uncle Drunk' let 8-year-old steer car, police say

An Upper Darby man police are calling "Uncle Drunk" allegedly let his 8-year-old nephew steer his car in traffic while he was drinking beer Saturday.

Clarence Hairston, 58, of the 600 block of Littlecroft Road, has been charged with driving under the influence, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment, permitting an unauthorized person to drive a car, and related crimes, said Michael J. Chitwood, superintendent of police.

Around 3 p.m. Saturday, Upper Darby Officer Frank Devine spotted a 2008 Chevrolet Impala blocking the intersection of Gilford and Copley Roads. The car was making a series of abrupt "stop and goes" and nearly hit a parked car, Chitwood said.

"The car windows were completely fogged,"said Chitwood.

The officer approached the car and allegedly saw Hairston in the driver's seat with the child on his lap, Chitwood said.

Hairston was holding a half-empty 25-ounce can of beer and a second empty can was on the floor, said Chitwood. Hairston allegedly had been operating the gas and brake and letting the child steer.

Another nephew, 9, was sitting in the back.

Hairston was arrested and taken to Delaware County Memorial Hospital, where he refused to submit to a blood test, Chitwood said. The children were returned to their mother, who had let Hairston babysit.

"He put an entire neighborhood at risk because of his stupidity," said Chitwood.

Hairston is being held in the Delaware County jail on $15,000 bail, Chitwood said.