YOUNG TOWNSHIP, Pa. (EYT) – Authorities in Punxsutawney say charges have been filed against a 29-year-old Punxsutawney man stemming from a head-on collision that occurred on State Route 119, in Young Township, Jefferson County.
According to police, 29-year-old Edward L. Wonderling, III, of Punxsutawney, is facing multiple charges – including Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, DUI, and Harassment – after crashing head-on into another vehicle while under the influence of marijuana and alcohol on February 11, 2015.
Court documents indicate Wonderling has been charged with the following:
– Two counts of Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI, Felony 2
– DUI: General Impairment/Incapacity of Driving Safely – 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI: Controlled Substance – Schedule 1 – 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI Controlled Substance – Combination Alcohol/Drugs, 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– Three counts of Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Three counts of Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
– Fail to Keep Right, Summary
– Disregard Traffic Lane (Single)
According to a criminal complaint, Trooper Ryan Butka, of PSP Punxsutawney, was dispatched for a reported reckless driver traveling north on State Route 119 at 4:45 p.m. on February 11, 2015.
Another driver reported that he was traveling behind the reckless driver towards Punxsutawney from Indiana, the complaint states.
Before intercepting the suspect vehicle, Trooper Butka received reports that the reckless driver had been involved in a head-on collision at the intersection of SR 119 and Yates Road, in Young Township, continues the complaint.
According to the complaint, the driver of the suspect vehicle – a white Chevrolet Cobalt – was identified as Edward L. Wonderling, III.
While interviewing Wonderling, Trooper Butka noted that his breath allegedly smelled like alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and his speech was thick and slurred, according to the complaint.
Empty 16 oz. Bush beer can were also observed within Wonderling’s vehicle, the complaint states.
Wonderling was injured in the crash and was subsequently transported to Altoona General Hospital by helicopter. Later in the day, Trooper Paul Burns of PSP Holidaysburg responded to Altoona General to read forms to Wonderling authorizing a legal blood draw, which Wonderling then signed, the complaint indicates.
According to the complaint, two vials of blood were drawn from Wonderling at 7:58 p.m. and submitted to NMS Labs for Blood Alcohol Content and Drug Screening. Wonderling’s blood was tested on February 20 at NMS Labs.
Reports allegedly indicated that Wonderling’s BAC was .048, and he allegedly had 1.6 ng/ml of Delta-9 THC and 21 ng/ml of Delta-9 Carboxy THC in his blood, the complaint continues.
Based on the information provided during the investigation, Wonderling was arrested on the previously listed charges.
He awaits a preliminary hearing.
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