Bay Bridge DUI Stop Nets Driver With Loaded Gun
Queen Anne's County, MD - A routine Red X enforcement check near the Bay Bridge turned into a lot more than a traffic stop this past weekend.
Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office say a Three Springs, PA man ended up facing DUI and firearm charges after a deputy spotted his obstructed license plate. What started as a simple equipment issue quickly became a much bigger problem for the driver.
The stop happened on June 20, 2026, around 1:36 p.m. Deputy Eckhart was working Red X enforcement near WB Rt. 50 and Exit 42 when he noticed a vehicle with a registration plate obstruction.
As he moved to catch up with the car, a passing motorist flagged him down to report the driver was operating a vehicle erratically.
Deputy Eckhart pulled the vehicle over and made contact with the driver, 21-year-old Hoyt Harrington. Right away, he noticed an open alcoholic beverage sitting in the center console. He also picked up on signs of impairment and the smell of alcohol coming from Harrington's breath.
Harrington agreed to perform standard field sobriety tests but didn't pass them. He was placed under arrest on the spot. A search following the arrest turned up a loaded firearm tucked in the driver's side door, along with several more open alcohol cans.
Harrington also agreed to a breath test, which came back with a blood alcohol content of .16. That's double the legal limit in Maryland.
He now faces a long list of charges, including Handgun in Vehicle, Loaded Handgun in Vehicle, DUI, DUI Per Se, DWI, Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving, and Driver Consuming an Alcoholic Beverage in the Passenger Area of a Motor Vehicle.
This stop is a good reminder that even small issues, like an obstructed plate, can lead deputies straight to much bigger problems on the road. Drivers on the Eastern Shore should expect ongoing Red X enforcement, especially heading into the busier summer travel season.
Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.
