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Chester County Press

Former Oxford Borough mayor faces DUI charges

01/14/2020 01:23PM ● By Steven Hoffman

Lorraine Durnan Bell, a former mayor of Oxford Borough, has now been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and several related offenses in connection with a two-vehicle accident that occurred in Cecil County last September.

Bell and two women who were in the other vehicle all suffered injuries as a result of the crash, which occurred on Stevens Road in Cecil County when Bell’s Chrysler Sebring crossed the center line and struck the other vehicle. The impact was nearly head-on, and a responding officer at the scene said that he detected a strong odor of alcohol on Bell. A blood sample was taken following the accident and the results of the blood alcohol testing resulted in charges being filed against Bell on January 4.

These charges include driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving. Bell’s blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle.

Bell resigned as the mayor of Oxford Borough on Dec. 2, citing health reasons. She had served in that role since the start of 2018.