ROSE TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A local man is facing charges for allegedly fleeing the scene of a DUI-related crash in Rose Township.
According to court documents, Punxsutawney-based State Police filed criminal charges against 24-year-old Joseph A. Polito, of Brookville, in District Judge Gregory Bazylak’s office on April 4.
According to a criminal complaint, PSP Punxsutawney were dispatched to a one-vehicle crash along Maplevale Road in Rose Township, Jefferson County, around 9:53 p.m. on Monday, March 11.
It was reported by the property owner that a Ram truck had crashed into a plot of trees near his residence and there was currently no one at the scene, the complaint states.
The property owner also reported that a vehicle had driven over a ditch/embankment, hit their mailbox, and continued to drive through a portion of their yard until crashing into a wooded area, the complaint indicates.
Troopers arrived on the scene and observed the Ram truck in a wooded area with disabling damage to the entirety of the vehicle. Troopers also found blood on the scene, indicating significant injury to the operator, the complaint notes.
A query of the vehicle’s registration showed it was registered to Joseph Polito, who lived a short distance from the crash, according to the complaint.
While on the scene, troopers interviewed the property owner, who said he did not hear or see the crash, but his daughter came home around 9:30 p.m. and noticed a male picking up their mailbox. She then contacted a known individual, who identified Polito and said he had crashed, the complaint states.
Authorities contacted Brookville Area Hospital, which confirmed Polito was currently a patient in their emergency department, the complaint indicates.
Contact was made with Polito, who stated he was traveling home when he swerved to miss a deer, at which time he went off the road and lost control of the vehicle, the complaint continues.
According to the complaint, Polito showed signs of alcohol impairment with blood-shot eyes and slow and slurred speech. An odor of alcoholic beverage was emitting from his breath, and he admitted to consuming alcohol before driving, the complaint notes.
A preliminary breath test indicated a BAC of .12%, according to the complaint.
A blood test indicated a BAC of .15%, as well as findings of Delta-9 THC, the complaint states.
Polito was charged with the following:
– DUI/BAC .10%-.16%, Misdemeanor
– Driving Under Influence of Alcohol/Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
– DUI/unsafe Driving, Misdemeanor
– Careless Driving, Summary
– Driving at Safe Speed, Summary
– Fail to Notify Police of Acc\ Damage to Vehicle, Summary
– Fail to Not Police of Accident\ Injury or Death, Summary
– Disregard Traffic Lane (Single), Summary
A preliminary hearing is slated for May 31, at 9:15 a.m. with Judge Bazylak presiding.
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