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The DUI News & Arrest Report is a monthly publication that focuses on relevant DUI news in the State of Pennsylvania. This month’s edition of the DUI News & Arrest Report includes many news stories involving impaired driving arrests and new DUI laws in Pennsylvania.
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The Pennsylvania State Police recently announced the total number of DUI arrests that were made in 2016 throughout the State of Pennsylvania. According to the report, Pennsylvania State Troopers made a total of 19,518 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs during 2016.
The total number of DUI arrests in 2016 represent a 3.8% increase over the total number of DUI arrests recorded in 2015. Additionally, Pennsylvania State Police investigated a total of 4,520 DUI crashes and conducted 1,016 Drug Recognition Evaluations (DRE) over the course of the year.
“Driving under the influence is a serious crime that puts innocent lives at risk every day,” said Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Tyree C. Blocker. “Keeping the roadways safe is a primary function of this department, and we remain committed to preventing DUI through education and enforcement.”
For more information about DUI statistics in 2016 visit the official website of the Pennsylvania State Police.
A 37-year-old man from Montgomery County, PA was recently arrested in connection with his alleged involvement in a hit and run accident that resulted in several injuries.
According to reports, the suspect was driving a pickup truck on Route 54 in Montoursville, PA on September 24th, when he allegedly ran into a horse-drawn buggy carrying a family of six. Five of the six family members riding in the buggy at the time of the incident were reportedly transported to Geisinger Medical Center to be treated for injuries of varying degrees.
Witnesses said that the accident occurred at approximately 9:30pm, but reported that the suspect fled the scene of the accident immediately. Fortunately, police were able to use the information provided by witnesses to locate the man just hours later.
He was ultimately arrested and charged with aggravated DUI, tampering with evidence, driving with a suspended license, reckless driving and more. According to reports the suspect has been charged with five previous DUI charges in the past.
Pennsylvania State Police from the Harrisburg Station conducted a DUI sobriety checkpoint last week that resulted in six arrests.
The checkpoint was carried out on Friday, September 22, in the 500 block of Bow Creek Road in East Hanover Township near the Hollywood Casino.
The checkpoint also resulted in the arrest of three people on ACT 64 violations as well as one arrest for possession of a prohibited weapon.
A new DUI law went into effect throughout the State of Pennsylvania earlier this month.
Among other things, the new law allows certain first time DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles and begin driving immediately. Many consider this a major improvement from the old legislation which required all first time offenders to serve a driver’s license suspension of between 30 days and one year before having the opportunity to install an ignition interlock device.
The new law also applies to individuals suspected of driving under the influence who refuse to submit to chemical testing for the first time. Drivers who refuse to submit to a chemical test for the first time will now be eligible for an ignition interlock device after serving a 6 month license suspension as opposed to a one year to 18-month suspension under the old legislation.
“We know it’s effective,” said Greene County’s adult probation officer, Craig Wise. “It’s a tool to keep people sober, and for some people, allow them to drive who didn’t have a license.”
A pedestrian died earlier this month after being struck by an alleged drunk driver in the Tacony area of Philadelphia, PA. According to reports, a 32-year-old man was driving a van on Torresdale Avenue on Sunday, September 10th, when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into at least six other vehicles.
Police say a 73-year-old man was standing near his vehicle on Torresdale Avenue and was struck by the alleged drunk driver. The victim was rushed to Aria Torresdale Hospital to be treated for critical injuries, but he tragically passed away.
Witnesses say that the suspect continued traveling south in the northbound lanes of Torresdale Avenue and crashed into another vehicle before crossing back into the southbound lanes.
Three other people involved in the incident were reportedly taken to Aria Torresdale Hospital to be treated for neck and back pains.
A 30-year-old woman of Nockamixon Township has been charged in connection with a fatal DUI crash in Bedminster Township a few weeks ago.
The accident occurred at about 9:30pm on Wednesday, August 3oth, when the woman reportedly lost control of her vehicle on Route 611 and crashed into another vehicle. The 21-year-old driver of the other vehicle was killed in the crash while his 20-year-old girlfriend suffered serious injuries.
Authorities say the woman who caused the crash had several prescription drugs in her system at the time of the accident.
Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Robert James said, “One of the reasons she’s charged with third degree murder in this case is because, as the affidavit states, she’s on her third DUI.”
Call us today for a free consultation to learn about your legal options following being hit by a drunk driver in Pennsylvania.
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