JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) – A Corsica man entered a guilty plea on Wednesday on criminal charges from a DUI-related crash that occurred on State Route 28 late last year.
Court documents indicate 38-year-old Joseph S. Iwanczuk pleaded guilty to one second-degree felony count of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and one misdemeanor count of DUI: controlled substance – combination alcohol/drug – 2nd offense on Wednesday, September 2.
As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:
– DUI: General Impairment/Incapable of Driving Safely – 2nd Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI: Highest Rate of Alcohol (BAC .16+) 2nd Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI: Controlled Substance – Schedule 1 – 2nd Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI: Controlled Substance – Schedule 2 or 3 – 2nd Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI: Controlled Substance – Metabolite – 2nd Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI: Controlled Substance – Impaired Ability – 2nd Offense, Misdemeanor
– Fail To Keep Right, Summary
– Disregard Traffic Lane (Single), Summary
– Exceed 55 MPH In Other Loc By 25 MPH, Summary
– Careless Driving, Summary
– Reckless Driving, Summary
Iwanczuk remains lodged in the Jefferson County Jail on $50,000.00 (10%) monetary bail.
Sentencing for the case has not yet been scheduled.
The charges stem from a DUI crash that occurred in Rose Township in October of 2019.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint, Trooper Abernathy, of the Punxsutawney-based State Police, investigated a two-vehicle crash that occurred around 7:40 p.m. on October 26, 2019, on State Route 28 at Snyder Road, in Rose Township, Jefferson County.
Upon his arrival at the scene, Trooper Abernathy was advised by Pine Creek Fire personnel there were only the drivers in each of the vehicles, and both drivers were taken to Penn Highlands Brookville Hospital by ambulance.
An investigation into the crash was then conducted. Trooper Abernathy observed a black 2004 Ford Focus ZX3 located in the southbound lane at the intersection of Snyder Road, and found a 15 pack case of Keystone Ice beer cans scattered throughout the vehicle and the crash scene.
The vehicle was registered to Joseph S. Iwanczuk. It also states the vehicle had the speedometer stuck at 80 miles per hour, the complaint notes.
According to the complaint, a preliminary investigation showed Iwanczuk was traveling south on State Route 28 when his vehicle crossed over into the northbound lane and collided with another vehicle that was traveling north.
A Pine Creek firefighter was interviewed at the scene and reported he extracted Iwanczuk from under the driver’s dash of the Ford Focus, and Iwanczuk was then transported to Penn Highlands Hospital by ambulance. He was later flown to UPMC Presbyterian.
On October 27, Trooper Soprano, of the Punxsutawney-based State Police, interviewed a known man, who was Iwanczuk’s roommate, at his Clover Township residence.
According to the complaint, the known man related that on October 26, he and Iwanczuk began attempting to make repairs on one of the vehicles on their property, and Iwanczuk became frustrated with the repairs and returned to the house. The known man stated that he and Iwanczuk had been drinking on that day – specifically Keystone Ice beer – and that Iwanczuk was “pretty well lit.” He also stated they also smoked marijuana throughout the evening.
The known man allegedly stated Iwanczuk had been “nodding off on the couch” when he abruptly woke up and said “f*** it,” then grabbed his car keys, wallet, and “burned tire down the driveway” in his vehicle, the complaint states.
The man estimated that he and Iwanczuk had consumed approximately 20 cans of Keystone Ice on the evening of October 26, the complaint notes.
On October 29, Trooper Abernathy served warrants at UPMC Pittsburgh and Penn Highlands Brookville Hospital for blood samples and medical records for Iwanczuk.
According to the complaint, lab reports showed that Iwanczuk blood sample had a BAC between .180 percent and .213 percent and also contained Delta-9 Carboxy THC.
Iwanczuk was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak at 3:10 p.m. on Thursday, March 5.
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
