Bus driver Dorothy Burse denies she was under the influence of drugs. Florida Highway Patrol says she was driving under the influence of narcotics. Burse says she is only taking antibiotics and vitamins.

School bus driver with seven students on board arrested for DUI

From WFLA

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – A school bus driver was arrested for driving under the influence on Tuesday after a minor collision.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Dorothy Burse, of Largo, was driving the school bus westbound on 54th Avenue North.

The bus stopped at a red traffic signal at 66th Street North, when another vehicle traveling westbound crashed into the rear of the bus.

Seven middle school students from Lealman Innovative were on board at the time of the accident. They weren’t hurt.

Following the collision, the driver of the vehicle left the scene.

Troopers later arrested Burse for driving under the influence of a controlled substance and child neglect.

Pinellas County Sheriff Arrest Log

Dorothy Burse DUI arrest photo Pinellas County Sheriff Fla Highway Patrol 010417

Anthony Fickes Repeat DUI driver killed woman and self in Newberry Township Photo courtesy of CBS 21

Newberry Township Police Chief John Snyder Cites Pennsylvania’s Weak DUI Laws

“When I see innocent people injured or killed because of impaired drivers, I ask myself each time, why do Pennsylvanians tolerate this? Why do our politicians in Harrisburg keep looking the other way? The bodies are piling up and all we as police officers can do is keep fighting the fight on impaired driving enforcement. We need tougher DUI laws.”

– Newberry Township Police Chief John Snyder in a post on the department’s Facebook page.

From WHTM

Newberry Township Police Chief John Snyder

HARRISBURG, Pa. (01/10/2017) – Are Pennsylvania’s DUI laws too lenient? The question is being asked following a Facebook post from a police chief following a double fatal crash.

On Saturday, police said Anthony Fickes lost control of his SUV and slammed into another vehicle on Old Trail Road in Newberry Township. Fickes was killed and so was Edna Mikos, 66-year-old from York Haven, who was a passenger in the other vehicle.

Police said they found open bottles and cans of alcohol, both inside of Fickes vehicle.

Shortly after the crash, Newberry Township Police Chief John Snyder posted a lengthy Facebook message. Part of the post, which includes the phrase “bodies are piling up” calls for lawmakers to make tougher DUI laws.

The social media rant also includes a section where Snyder cites a study that says Pennsylvania DUI laws are some of the worst in the country.

“In my experience, there’s no question that Pennsylvania needs to take DUI cases more seriously than we do,” Craig Stedman, the Lancaster County District Attorney, said. “There’s a number of areas I think we can improve upon. One of the things we talk about is repeat offenders.”

Stedman said he would like to see a system where repeat DUI offenders turn into felonies. He also said 32 other states have a penalty where DUI offenders lose their car if they’re convicted of a second DUI.

“I’m tired of seeing the innocent people getting killed by this stuff,” Stedman told ABC 27 News. “We need to make a consequence such that it deters people.”

Police are still investigating the crash in York County.   MORE

Hernan Jasiel Posada-Rodriquez, 24, of Fishers, Ind. charged with fatal DUI 011117

01/12/2017 — Carmel Police reports that on Sunday, January 8th, 2017, at approximately 2:50 a.m., Carmel Police responded to an accident near the intersection of 96th Street and Knights Bridge Blvd. Officers arrived and found two vehicles involved in the crash.

Based on preliminary information, it appears that a maroon 2005 Ford F-150 truck operated by Hernan J. Posada-Rodriguez, 24, of Fishers, Indiana, was traveling eastbound 96th Street near Knights Bridge Blvd. Rodriguez collided with a Red 2004 Saturn 2-door operated by Monica Davila, 44, of  Indianapolis, Ind.

Hernan J. Rodriguez.

Police say that it appears the Red Saturn turned in front of maroon Ford as it was traveling Eastbound.

The driver of the Red Saturn, Monica Davila, was pronounced deceased at the scene as result of her injuries.

Through further investigation, Rodriguez was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (A-Misdemeanor) and Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death (Level 5 Felony). He was later transported to the Hamilton County Jail for further processing.

Accident Reconstructionists from the Carmel Police Department completed the crash investigation. 96th Street and Knights Bridge Blvd was temporarily closed during the investigation.

Hernan J. Rodriquez charged with OWI fatal killed Monica Davilla. Photos courtesy of Carmel Fire Department

Pembroke Police Department

Dougera Illarian charged with DUI homicide of convicted credit card scammer Edner Junior Rouzard photo courtesy of Sun Sentinel

 From Sun Sentinel:

Dougera Illarian DUI fatal 121316 Broward County Sheriff Fla Pemroke Police

Dougera Illarion, 36, of Miami, was behind the wheel of a Mustang convertible the afternoon of May 8, 2015. The car mowed down two palm trees as it traveled in the 1500 block of South Hiatus Road, Pembroke Pines police said.

Witnesses told investigators the Mustang drove on a grass shoulder, crossed lanes and traveled along the median.

The car sheared one palm tree near its base, spun around and struck a second palm tree before rolling over onto the passenger side, according to an arrest report.

After the Mustang flipped, passenger Edner Junior Rouzard, 28, of Miami, was found on the ground. A paramedic declared him dead. Rouzard had worked with his father at E&M Rehabilitation and Medical Center in North Miami Beach.  MORE

Rouzard Edner Rouzard Jr. was charged with 79 counts of fraud using a credit card skimmer in 2013 Broward County Sheriff photo

Broward County Court records show that Rouzard had been charged with dozens of criminal citations for placing credit card skimmers in the Miami area and pleaded guilty to credit card fraud on Nov. 22, 2013. He was placed on five years probation.

DOUGERA ILLARION Charges with DUI manslaughter, homicide in fatal crash

* Subject to Change

From The Chesapeake Today

DWI HIT PARADE / Charles County Sheriff Detective Jack Austin charged with DUI on Christmas Eve in Bowie

Detective was driving his police car on the City of Bowie bike path and was armed with his duty weapon at the time of the arrest

Charles County Sheriff Detective Jack Austin charged with DUI on Christmas Eve in Bowie Maryland 122416

BOWIE, MD. — As St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron wrestles with how to handle the recent DUI crash and arrest which involved one of his deputies and a correctional officer while on a mission in Talbot County to learn how to carry caskets for official funerals; Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry has to worry about an important criminal case being affected by the DUI arrest of one of his detectives in Prince George’s County.

After a reported Christmas Eve stopover at a bar in Bowie, Charles County Detective Young Jack Austin, 43, of Pomfret, Md., was arrested for DUI by a City of Bowie Police Officer while he drove an official police vehicle, a 2008 Chevrolet with Maryland tag number 14364M5 on Hindle Lane, in Bowie, Md.

The driver was located and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. It was also learned at this time that the driver was an off-duty Charles County Sheriff Deputy and the vehicle was his issued unmarked cruiser.

The following is the report from the Bowie Police:

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENT:
On 12/23/16, Units responded to the area of Hindle Lane for an unknown trouble. Once in the area, Units discovered a vehicle on the bike path from Holiday Lane at Old Collington Rd. It was then determined to be an accident. The driver was located and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. It was also learned at this time that the driver was an off-duty Charles County Sheriff Deputy and the vehicle was his issued unmarked cruiser. Sgt. Rodriguez made notifications to C.C.S.D. and Sgt. Celia responded to the Bowie Police Station. After failing Field Sobriety Tests, the driver was transported to PGPD District 2 where he refused a breath test. He was then transported to the Bowie Police Station and charged. His duty weapon was surrendered to Sgt. Celia. The accident was a single vehicle accident with no injuries.

Charles County Sheriff’s Spokesperson Diane Richardson confirmed to THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY that Detective Austin is on paid leave pending the outcome of the charges and internal investigation.

Court records do not recite any pending court date in District Court for Prince George’s County perhaps due to the involvement of Detective Austin in a high-profile criminal trial currently underway.

It is unknown if Detective Austin was part of the ‘Shop with a Cop’ program on Christmas Eve or if he was simply getting a few holiday drinks with a cop in Bowie. The Bowie Police Department provided a video of their Chief participating in the ‘Shop with a Cop’

Detective Austin was honored by Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry in October of 2016, at an awards ceremony.

Sheriff Troy Berry was elected in 2014.
Sheriff Berry posted the following about Detective Austin on the Charles County Sheriff’s website:

Detective / Corporal Jack Austin – Law Enforcement

Charles County Md. Sheriff Troy Berry

Detective Austin is assigned to the Major Crimes Unit of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. For this award, Detective Austin was recognized for his investigative efforts into the attempted murder and brutal physical and sexual assault of a woman in La Plata by her boyfriend, who was the father of the woman’s young son. The details of this incident were horrific and beyond comprehension to police officers and prosecutors alike.

For approximately five hours, the victim was bound, tortured, and assaulted – which included a period of time the suspect pushed several of the victims’ teeth out of her mouth, one-by-one, with his thumb.

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For approximately five hours, the victim was bound, tortured, and assaulted – which included a period of time the suspect pushed several of the victims’ teeth out of her mouth, one-by-one, with his thumb. The victim was eventually able to convince her attacker to let her use the bathroom. Only then was she able to escape through a window. The investigation was assigned to Detective Austin, who worked tirelessly on the case to ensure the suspect was prosecuted to the fullest extent. At his trial, the suspect was found guilty and was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years.

Since the attack, Det. Austin has maintained contact with the victim and has been a valuable resource to her, even during his off-duty time. The victim credits Detective Austin, among others, with helping her turn her life around and move in a positive direction.  For his exceptional work on this and every domestic case he investigates, Detective Austin was awarded the Making a Difference Award in the Law Enforcement category.

TOP COP JACK AUSTIN BROKE THIS CASE

TORTURED WOMAN FOR HOURS Stephen Dale Nolan, 38, of La Plata, convicted of rape and attempted murder in La Plata

On May 10, 2014, Charles County sheriff’s officers assigned to the Warrant Unit located Stephen Dale Nolan, 38, of La Plata, who was wanted in connection with a brutal assault of a female acquaintance that occurred on May 8, 2014. Nolan was located in Hughesville after investigators developed information about his possible whereabouts and tracked down all leads until he was found. Nolan was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, first-degree sex offense, second-degree sex offense and other charges.

Detective Young Jack Austin has been a lead investigator on these recent major crimes

POLICE AGENCIES WRESTLE WITH DUI OFFICER PROBLEM

Many law enforcement agencies generally have at least one such DUI arrest of an officer in any given year, some of which involve fatal crashes.  Police officers have as much, or perhaps much more stress on the job than many other professions which often leads to alcoholism. While there are those officers in law enforcement who clearly exhibit arrogance, and decide to drive after drinking, many make the same mistake as others do in life and simply make a bad decision. While the public supports the police in overwhelming numbers, the public also supports sobriety checkpoints in overwhelming numbers as most folks simply want to get home alive and not be killed by a DUI driver.

The nationwide DWI HIT PARADE has chronicled the arrests of 290 police officers for driving under the influence since 2011. Other occupations are listed as well, including politicians, celebrities, judges and lawyers, clergy and news reporters and editors.

A 2013 study by Bowling Green State University on what happens when a police officer is arrested for DUI while on duty provides one of the few glimpses that have been chronicled on the topic.

This segment of the study focused on news coverage of the DUI Police Officer scandals, stories that were over the top in nature, due mostly to the explosive nature of the events rather than a simple arrest on the side of the road.

Below is an excerpt of the study:

St. Mary’s Sheriff Correctional Officer Maurice Gogul-wrecked-police-car-while-DWI-in-Easton-Md. Deputy Matt Rogers was with him and both are under investigation. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo -101416

Scandals involving law enforcement officers who drive drunk run counter to the widely-recognized slogans of police-sponsored public service campaigns to promote sober driving: “Drive sober or get pulled over, “…”Over the limit, under arrest, “…”Drink, drive, go to jail” (Governors Highway Safety Association 2012, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2012, Texas Department of Transportation 2012). One scandal involved an intoxicated officer who joined a high-speed pursuit and rammed his patrol car into three motorcyclists stopped at a red light. Charges including reckless homicide were eventually dropped in part because of a botched investigation that also ultimately led to the police chief’s resignation (Indianapolis Star 2012). Another case involved a drunken police commander who crashed into a second vehicle, left the scene, and then helped to stage a phony accident to cover-up the initial crash. Blood-alcohol tests were not conducted at the scene, even though the commander’s speech was slurred, he smelled of alcohol, and he had wet his pants (Fazlollah 2001, Banks 2013). Another scandal involved a police lieutenant arrested—but not convicted—for driving under the influence three separate times over a seven-month period. He was finally convicted on a DUI charge that resulted from a fourth arrest that occurred three months later (Castaneda 2008, Davis 2008).

The problem of police officers driving drunk may be far more under-reported since on-duty officers may or may not arrest another police officer for driving under the influence. In the cases of those police officers arrested for DUI, the arrest would not have taken place were it not that the arresting officer was doing his or her job properly.

Sheriff-Cameron-hid-the-wrecked-police-car-behind-this-collection-of-crashed-cruisers-at-the-vehicle-maintenance-facility-in-California-Md.-THE-CHESAPEAKE-TODAY-photo.

St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Correctional-Officer-Maurice-Gogul charged with DUI when he wrecked police car while at a training session to learn how to escort coffins at funerals. He crashed into a Dunkin Donuts in Easton, Md.

Police DUI’s have the potential to substantially weaken public trust and the legitimacy of strategies designed to mitigate drunk driving because the drunk driver in these cases is among those expected to enforce DUI laws and protect society from drivers who are intoxicated. Recent evidence suggests that the problem may be exacerbated by officers and agencies that minimize—and in some cases purposively ignore—the problem of drunk driving among police.

A Bureau of Justice Statistics survey reported that over one-third of responding state and local police agencies would consider police applicants with a prior DUI conviction (Reaves 2012). Likewise, a majority of officers responding to a survey on police integrity said they would not report a fellow officer who had a minor traffic accident while driving under the influence of alcohol (Klockars et al. 2000). Recent journalistic investigations in Milwaukee (Barton 2011), Denver (McGhee 2011), and New York City (Paddock and Lesser 2010) reported disturbing cases in which police found to have driven drunk were either not arrested and/or otherwise minimally punished. The tendency of officers and at least some police executives to disregard police DUI’s limits the potential for research and the availability of data on the problem, and also inhibits the development of strategies to identify, punish, and deter drunk driving among police officers.

Table 3. Police DUI Arrest Cases: Incident Events (N = 782)
n %
DUI Traffic Accident 416 (53.2)
DUI Traffic Accident with Injuries 191 (24.4)
Refused BAC Test 153 (19.6)
DUI Traffic Accident: Officer Fled Scene 91 (11.6)
Officer in Possession of Firearm while DUI 71 (9.1)
DUI Traffic Accident: Officer Charged with Hit-and-Run 65 (8.3)
DUI in Take-Home Police Vehicle 64 (8.2)
Off-Duty: Identified Self as Police Officer 60 (7.7)
Refused Field Sobriety Tests 57 (7.3)
Officer Resisted Arrest 41 (5.2)
DUI Traffic Accident: Fatality Resulting 40 (5.1)
DUI Actually On-Duty in Police Vehicle 37 (4.7)
DUI in Police Vehicle while Out of Jurisdiction 27 (3.5)
DUI Traffic Accident: Flipped their Car 26 (3.3)
Officer’s Employing Agency requires 24/7 Availability 21 (2.7)
Off-Duty: Flashed Badge 15 (1.9)
DUI Traffic Accident: Driving a Motorcycle 14 (1.8)
DUI Traffic Accident: Driving in Wrong Direction 11 (1.4)
DUI Traffic Accident: Officer Denied Driving 11 (1.4)
Off-Duty: Displayed Police Weapon 10 (1.3)
Off-Duty: Family Violence 8 (1.0)
DUI Traffic Accident: While Evading 6 (0.8)
DUI Traffic Accident: Flipped Victim’s Car 5 (0.6)
Off-Duty: In Police Uniform 1 (0.1)
Off-Duty: Made an Arrest 1 (0.1)
Off-Duty: Intervened in Existing Dispute Pursuant to Policy 1 (0.1)

Nevada Highway Patrol motor units in Las Vegas

From FOX5

Kristy M. Singer killed by Seth Bennett in DUI motorcycle crash Las Vegas NV 011917. Facebook photo. 

LAS VEGAS (01/19/2017) – A man has been arrested in connection to a fatal crash on Jan. 1, according to authorities.

Nevada Highway Patrol said 39-year-old Seth L. Bennett, of Las Vegas, was arrested for felony DUI resulting in death.

NHP said Bennet was driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a female passenger, identified as Kristy Singer, 31, on the State Route 160 and Interstate 15 northbound fly over on ramp. The motorcycle entered the left shoulder and hit a concrete barrier. Bennet and Singer were ejected from the motorcycle.  The motorcycle continued down the ramp before coming to a rest on the left shoulder.  MORE

Clark County Detention Center Booking Inmate Report:

DUI driver killed one in this flaming wreck on I-4 Polk County Florida. Photo courtesy of Lakeland Fire Department.

Florida Highway Patrol

From Lakeland Fire Department: At approximately 3 AM

Travis Wade Coats killed Demerrio Tobler in DUI crash on I-4 Polk County 011417

At approximately 3 AM #LFD Engine 31, 61, and Battalion 2 responded to the 35-mile (approx) of I-4 East Bound to a car accident that resulted in the truck involved bursting into flames soon after impact. Reports from callers report that the truck was headed west in the eastbound lanes and the driver of the truck was suspected to be under the influence. The truck made a head-on impact with a small sedan, resulting in the passing, at the scene, of the sedan’s driver.

Travis Wade Coats, 24, of 226 Bayberry Drive, was charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI property damage, DUI and driving in the wrong direction, said Sgt. Steve Gaskins of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Demerrio Alistaire Tobler, 32, of St. Petersburg, died at the scene.

Also injured in the three-vehicle accident was Emily Jean Smart, 23, of Lakeland.

Demerrio Tobler killed in DUI head on crash by Travis Wade Coats 011417

The Official Celebration of Life, Memorial Choir Rehearsal, and
Lodging & Preparations

Information for Elder Demerrio A Tobler! See Flyers Below for all Needed information. Please contact Bishop Zema Florence for any additional questions.
Thank you to everyone who has given, but there is still a long way to go to make and exceed our goal!

Pickup blazes in DUI crash Polk County Fla 011417 photo Lakeland Fire Department

John Yanni III, 25, charged with DUI fatal

From Daily Chronicle

SYCAMORE – A St. Charles man accused of drunk driving in connection with the crash that killed a DeKalb High School student is being held on $1 million bond.

DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies arrested John A. Yanni III, 25, of the 100 block of South 18th Street in St. Charles, at 11:20 p.m. Wednesday at Kishwaukee Hospital. Yanni was treated at the hospital for injuries from the crash. He was arrested on his release.

Yanni has been charged with reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, according to court records. Police allege he was drunk at the time of the crash.

The reckless homicide charge and one of the aggravated DUI charges are related to the death of DeKalb High School senior Johnathon R. Ode, 18. The other aggravated DUI charge is related to the “great bodily harm or permanent disfigurement” of Evan M. Cortez, a 23-year-old Elgin man who was in the car with Ode at the time of the crash.

Yanni is a firefighter and medic with Fox River Countryside Fire Rescue District

JUDGE LETS DUI KILLER OUT ON LOW BOND
From Kane County Chronicle 

Yanni’s attorney, Liam Dixon, asked the judge to set a lower bond. Yanni, he said, was a lifelong resident of St. Charles and was employed as a firefighter and paramedic at Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District. He also said his client had no criminal record. Nearly a dozen of Yanni’s family members and supporters attended the hearing. Dixon said that his client hadn’t been given pain medication for a broken knee since he was arrested at Kishwaukee Hospital at 11:20 p.m. Jan. 18.

Judge Montgomery set bond at $10,000, ordered Yanni not to drink alcohol and required that he be fitted with an alcohol-monitoring bracelet

Judge Montgomery set bond at $10,000, ordered Yanni not to drink alcohol and required that he be fitted with an alcohol-monitoring bracelet. The judge said he was aware of the age of the victim and the affect of the crime on the community. He said he was aware of “the emotional impact on not only the victim’s family, but also on the larger community.”

“These are not easy decisions for the court to come to,” Montgomery said.  MORE

OBITUARY of JOHNATHAN R. ODE

Johnathon R. Ode killed by DUI firefighter John Yanni III on 011717

Johnathon R. Ode, 18, of DeKalb, Illinois, died Tuesday, January 17, 2017, as the result of an auto accident.

Born September 23, 1998, in Sandwich, Illinois, he was the son of Stephen and Marsha Ode.

Johnathon was a senior at DeKalb High School where he was a member of the Gamers Guild and the Outdoor Adventure Club.

He is survived by his parents Stephen and Katie Ode; two brothers, Gerald Becker of Sandwich, Louis Ode of Dekalb; grandparents, Richard and Marlene Becker of Sandwich, Robert and Patricia Collins of Aurora; step-grandparents, Harlan and Jean Hawkins of Cortland; and his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marsha in 2008.

The Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb, with Steve Saunders of Millbrook United Methodist Church officiating. Burial of cremated remains will be at a later date at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Aurora.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services, Saturday, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Johnathon R. Ode Memorial Fund, addressed to the Ode Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.

In one moment your decision changes lives. Decatur High School (Federal Way, WA) students Nicholas Hodgins and Derek King were killed alongside I-5 when a driver made the decision to drive drunk. They would have graduated in three days.

NOTICE: This database of the DWI Hit Parade is a great FREE resource for credit managers, law enforcement and background investigations for private sector as well as government screenings of prospective employees. Those who are impaired are advised not to drive after ingesting drugs or alcohol as doing so and being arrested can cause serious negative experiences for obtaining employment…and could kill someone. If your name appears on this site and you believe you have proper cause to have it removed, provide such information to staff@clean-search.com to determine eligibility for complete removal from this listing.
If you have killed someone and been convicted of being responsible for that death while operating impaired, don’t bother. The engravings of the names of victims of impaired drivers are forever on grave markers.

South Carolina Highway Patrol

Lauren Charity Smith charged with felony DUI Spartanburg Co Sheriff jail 012317

From WSPA

LYMAN, SC (01/23/2017) – A woman was killed and two others are in the hospital following a crash on Hampton Road near Lyman Friday evening, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office.

SC Highway Patrol reports that the collision happened around 7:08 p.m. near Skyway Ct. after an SUV headed south crashed into at least one vehicle headed north, involving a third vehicle.

The driver of the SUV headed south has been identified as Lauren Smith, 31, and she was charged with one count of felony DUI resulting in death and one count of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury, says Highway Patrol. Smith was taken from the scene by EMS for treatment.  MORE

From Fox Carolina:
Reports say the driver of the third vehicle, the Honda, was not wearing a seat belt and was entrapped. She died on the scene, troopers say. A male passenger in the vehicle was also not wearing a seatbelt and was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital for injuries, according to troopers. No word on his condition.

The coroner identified the deceased victim as 53-year-old Viola Lynn Jackson of Hammett Store Road in Lyman.

Crash scene Lauren Charity Smith felony DUI

Adam Kovaleski arrest photo after he drove the wrong way on I-19 and hit his victim head-on as the man drove home from work. Kovaleski’s Facebook page contains dozens of requests to his friends to join him in almost daily trips to bars.

Adam David Kovaleski – three times limit when he drove wrong way four miles on I-81 and killed Timothy Kunis

From Times-Tribune

01/24/2017 – A Carbondale man who drunkenly drove the wrong way for more than four miles on the interstate before crashing and killing another man pleaded guilty to three charges Monday.

Adam David Kovaleski, 32, appeared before Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle clean-shaven and wearing a shirt and tie. Prosecutors had charged him with a long list of crimes, but agreed to drop several in exchange for his guilty plea to felony vehicular homicide while DUI, misdemeanor DUI and driving the wrong way, a summary offense.

Per state law, the vehicular homicide while DUI conviction comes with a mandatory minimum of three years in prison, Judge Moyle told him.

Adam David Kovaleski

“Do you understand?” she asked.

“Yes, I do,” he said quietly.

Driving a Jeep Cherokee northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 Exit 188, Throop/Dunmore, Mr. Kovaleski collided with the Honda Civic driven by Timothy Kunis just after 3 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2015.

Mr. Kunis, 55, of Milford, died at the scene. The production pressman with Times-Shamrock Communications, which publishes The Times-Tribune, was on his way home from the company’s Scott Twp. printing plant.   MORE

Tim Kunis and his widow Elizabeth in this photo from Facebook.

MILFORD, Pa. – Timothy J. Kunis, 55 of Milford, Pa., went to heaven to be with his mom, dad, sister and pets on Oct. 15, 2015, in Lackawanna County, Pa. He was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and was a pressman for the Scranton Times.
He had a sarcastic, yet a kind sense of humor. As the antagonist of the family, his antics were only outweighed by his warm-hearted intentions. He loved cigars, football, especially the Kansas City Chiefs, rock ‘n’ roll music, horror movies and his man cave.
The son of the late John and Margaret (Hoey) Kunis, he was born in Prospect Park, on June 26, 1960. Timothy was married to Elizabeth Scholtes. Survivors include his wife; five children, Adam, Michael, Elisa, Anastasia and Michele, and their spouses; four grandchildren, Jordan, Shane, Carter, and Maci; four siblings, John, Fred, Jane and Amy. He was predeceased by his sister, Carol.
Friends may call at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 19 Delaware Crest, Dingmans Ferry, Pa., on Monday, Oct. 19, from 3-8 p.m. A service will be held at Holy Trinity on Oct. 20, 10:15 a.m., with the Rev. Niels Nielsen officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10004 or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 19 Delaware Crest, Dingmans Ferry, Pa. 18328. Arrangements were made by Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 W. Harford St., Milford, Pa.

Elizabeth Vargas-Hernandez of Indianapolis charged with OWI by Indiana Highway Patrol photo courtesy of Fox 59

Indiana Highway Patrol

David Kriehn Killed in a Crash Caused by  Suspected Drunk Driver Elizabeth Vargas-Hernandez

Indianapolis, IN –02/14/2017 – Indiana State Police report that an early morning crash on I-465 on Feb. 13, 2017, has claimed the life of a Noblesville man. Just before 2:30 a.m. emergency crews were called to I-465 eastbound near Michigan Road for a serious crash. Upon the arrival of first responders, troopers found two inverted vehicles, one on the right shoulder of the interstate and one in the ditch.

Elizabeth Vargas-Hernandez of Indianapolis charged with OWI by Indiana State Police

Indiana Troopers report that 66-year old David Kriehn was the driver of the vehicle in the ditch, a red 2002 Honda. Kriehn was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled several times, he was rushed to St. Vincent Hospital where he later died from his injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, a 2009 Nissan Murano, was 35-year-old Elizabeth Vargas-Hernandez of Indianapolis, she was not injured. There were three passengers in the Nissan who were checked and released by medics at the scene.

Preliminary investigation and witness statements led police to believe Vargas-Hernandez was traveling at a high rate of speed in the right lane when she came upon the Honda. Police say that Vargas-Hernandez struck the rear of the Honda causing it to slide off the road and overturn several times in the ditch. The Nissan also overturned and came to upside down on the right shoulder.

Based on the investigation Vargas-Hernandez was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death. She was also cited for operating a vehicle without ever receiving a driver’s license. A blood draw was taken for blood alcohol content, those results are pending.

Red car was demolished in OWI crash caused by Elizabeth Vargas-Hernandez Indiana Photo courtesy of Fox59.com

The charges listed in this release are merely accusations, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final determination on actual criminal charges. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Investigating Officer: Trooper Scott Probasco, Indiana State Police

Assisting: Trooper Camaron Bottema, Trooper Jayson Massey, Indianapolis Fire Department, Marion County Coroners’ Office, Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. 

DUI KILLER AN ILLEGAL ALIEN LIVING IN U.S. FOR FOUR YEARS

From Indychannel.com

Police initially had trouble identifying Vargas-Hernandez because she did not have a state-issued driver’s license. She told police that it was her birthday and she had two beers before the crash but could not recall what bar she had them at.

Vargas-Hernandez later admitted to police that she is undocumented and has been living in the United States illegally for the past four years.

Call 6 Investigates found an accident report from 2015 where Vargas-Hernandez was involved in another crash and did not have a license. Police did not believe an arrest was necessary at that time.

Vargas-Hernandez is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, and operating a vehicle without a license. MORE

Indiana Highway Patrol cruiser

Indiana State Trooper Alaa Hamed assaulted by Marques Bates on DUI arrest in Hammond Ind. 021217

Foot Pursuit and Fight with State Trooper Alaa Hamed Ends with Marques J. Bates in Jail on Slew of charges

 CITIZENS CAME TO AID OF TROOPER

Rocky McMurray, age 47, Aurora, Indiana charged by Indiana SP with OWI manslaughter 012417

Rocky McMurray arrested on impaired driving charges for killing Steven Ahaus; Judge holds him on million dollar bond – 2nd time he has killed while driving drunk

Rocky McMurray. Photo by Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department.

AURORA, INDIANA — Indiana State Police report that on Jan. 24, 2017, at approximately 6:00 pm, the Indiana State Police served an arrest warrant on an Aurora, Indiana man for charges related to the January 24^th crash that killed a Moores Hill man.

The investigation by Trooper Kyle Stovall, began on January 24, 2017, when troopers responded to a head-on collision on Sparta Pike near County Road 350 in Moores Hill, Indiana.  The crash investigation by Trooper Andrew Garrett determined that a red 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan, being driven by Rocky McMurray, age 47, Aurora, Indiana was traveling eastbound on Sparta Pike and drove left of center into the path of a 2005 Dodge Neon being driven by Steven Ahaus, age 48, Moores Hill, Indiana.  Ahaus died as a result of the collision.

The criminal investigation by Trooper Stovall determined that McMurray was believed to be intoxicated at the time of the crash.  He tested over twice the legal limit on a preliminary breath test at the scene.  McMurray also submitted to a blood test while he was hospitalized after the crash.  Those results are still pending.

The investigation was turned over to the Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office which ultimately led to a warrant being issued for McMurray’s arrest on charges of Reckless Homicide, Operating While Intoxicated-Causing Death, and Operating While Intoxicated While Endangering a Person.  Trooper Garrett and Trooper Travis Linville located McMurray at his residence and arrested him on the charges.

He was incarcerated in the Dearborn County Jail pending his initial court appearance.

 

McMurray made his initial appearance in Dearborn Superior Court II on Monday. Deputy prosecutor Andrew Krumwied told Judge Sally Blankenship that McMurray has a 2005 conviction for manslaughter in Kentucky in relation to another wreck he caused which claimed another man’s life.

From Eagle Country Online

McMurray made his initial appearance in Dearborn Superior Court II on Monday. Deputy prosecutor Andrew Krumwied told Judge Sally Blankenship that McMurray has a 2005 conviction for manslaughter in Kentucky in relation to another wreck he caused which claimed another man’s life.

“This is the second time he is alleged to have killed a man in a drunk driving accident,” Krumwied said.

Krumwied also recapped McMurray’s previous OWI convictions in Indiana.

Blankenship set McMurray’s bond at $1 million surety and $250,000 cash. The judge cited his criminal history, potential flight risk, and community safety in placing the high bond amount. His driving privileges were also revoked.   MORE

Mark Mogan, the Lake in the Hills police sergeant and Hebron village trustee arrested in a fatal car accident in Lake Geneva. Walworth County Sheriff’s Office

Samantha Lynn Norris killed by DUI officer Mark Mogan

Driver’s license revoked for police officer in crash

from Walworth County Today

ELKHORN—An Illinois police sergeant had his driver’s license revoked for a year Wednesday after a Walworth County judge found probable cause he was intoxicated, drove and killed a Lake Geneva woman.
Mark Mogan, 49, of Hebron, Illinois, is a member of the Lake in the Hills Police

Department. Judge Phil Koss ruled Mogan’s refusal to submit to a chemical test for the presence of intoxicants after a Dec. 27 crash was “improper.”

Two Lake Geneva police officers testified Wednesday they smelled intoxicant’s on Mogan’s breath following the crash on Edwards Boulevard south of Highway 50 in Lake Geneva.

The officers testified pedestrian Samantha Norris, 29, was crossing the road when Mogan’s car struck her on a cold night. The officers said although it was dark, there were streetlights on the road and Mogan’s headlights were on at the time of the crash. MORE

From The Chicago Tribune:

01/05/2017 — A Lake in the Hills police officer who is running for village president of Hebron has been recommended for a charge of drunken driving in connection with a fatal accident in Lake Geneva, Wis., police said.

Police Officer Mark Mogan, 49, who is a Hebron village trustee, was taken into custody after last week’s crash, in which he struck a woman who later died, and then was referred to prosecutors for a charge of injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle, authorities said.

Mogan, a sergeant with 23 years on the Lake in the Hills police force, was placed on paid leave pending the department’s own investigation, Lake in the Hills officials said Wednesday.

Lake in the Hills Police

Mogan is one of four candidates in the April election for Hebron village president. Among them is incumbent John Jacobson, who is facing felony drug and gun charges in McHenry County.

The Lake Geneva crash occurred about 5:20 p.m. Dec. 27, when Samantha Norris, 29, was crossing Wisconsin State Highway 120 just south of Highway 50, police said.

Mogan was driving south on Highway 120 when his car hit Norris, said Lt. Edward Gritzner of the Lake Geneva Police Department. She was flown to a Milwaukee-area hospital in critical condition and died two days later.  MORE

Samantha L. Norris, 29, of Lake Geneva, WI, died Thursday, December 29, 2016, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Samantha Lynn Norris was born in Park Ridge, IL on December 12, 1987, the daughter of the late Richard and Kathleen (Kilger) Norris. She graduated from Badger High School, in Lake Geneva, with the class of 2007. At the time of her death, she was working in food service at Grand Geneva Resort. Samantha was an avid reader; she also was a lover of all animals. She loved to walk and walked everywhere she went. Samantha is survived by aunts and uncles; Linda and Sam Cicero of Island Lake, IL, Jack and Karen Kilger of Novi, MI and Dale and Vicki Norris of Trevor, WI and many cousins and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. Services for Samantha will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel of Derrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Lake Geneva; Father Jim Scheurman, of Saint Francis deSales Catholic Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville, IL. Visitation will Wednesday, in the funeral home, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are requested in Samantha’s name to Lakeland Animal Welfare Shelter.

Gwinnett County Police 

Georgia: Gwinnett County Police charged wrong-way driver Joshua Boone with DUI homicide in death of Kippy Glover

Joshua Boone of Syracuse New York charged with DUI homicide in Norcross Ga. 013117

(Norcross, Georgia) Gwinnett County Police arrested 23-year-old Joshua Boone of Syracuse New York following an early morning fatal accident that left 44-year-old Kippy Glover of Atlanta dead. Police report that the next of kin notification has been made.

The investigation has revealed that shortly after 3 a.m. Boone was traveling north on I-85 in the southbound lanes. The collision occurred just north of Jimmy Carter Boulevard. Glover died at the scene. His passenger, a 23-year-old female from Las Vegas Nevada, was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center with serious injuries. Boone was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Following his medical treatment, Boone was arrested for the following charges and booked into the Gwinnett County Detention Center. He has since bonded out.

• Homicide by Vehicle 1^st degree
• Serious Injury by Motor Vehicle
• Driving on the Wrong Side of the Roadway
• DUI
• Reckless Driving

LeRoy Henry left his sunken car in White Trout Lake and fled to Sligh Avenue, busted for DUI Hillsborough Sheriff 021717

According to Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee, on February 17, 2017, just before 1:30 a.m., a deputy witnessed a dark sedan swerving in the area of Waters Avenue and Himes Avenue.

The deputy attempted a traffic stop at Humphrey Street and Himes Avenue when the vehicle fled. The deputy turned his lights off and did not pursue the vehicle, but continued north on Himes Avenue.

When the deputy reached the intersection of Busch Boulevard and Himes Avenue, two witnesses stated that they had just seen a vehicle crash into the lake.

A witness and three deputies immediately jumped into the lake to see if anyone was in the vehicle, but the vehicle was already too deep

Hillsborough Co. Fl Sheriff David Gee

A witness and three deputies immediately jumped into the lake to see if anyone was in the vehicle, but the vehicle was already too deep. The Dive Team was deployed and arrived quickly to search the vehicle. It was confirmed that no one was inside. A short time later, a female arrived on scene and said that she had received a call from her son stating he had just been involved in a crash at Busch Boulevard. and Himes Avenue. Deputies searched the area and located a black male that was soaking wet in the area of Sligh Avenue and Himes Avenue.

• Fleeing to Elude
• Driving While License is Suspended or Revoked
• Reckless Driving
• Leaving Scene of Crash with Property Damage
• VOP – DUI

Henry was out on bond for a VOP arrest that occurred on 02/07/17.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief Darren Lavigne of the South Amboy Police Department announced that a Matawan man has been charged with causing the death of a bicyclist who died after he was struck by a car that was being driven by the defendant.

South Amboy Police Officer Steven Clark photo courtesy of Asbury Park Press investigated fatal DWI crash Middlesex County NJ. Photo courtesy of Asbury Park Press

The charges were filed during an investigation by Officer Steven Clark of the South Amboy Police Department and Detective Donald Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Smith fled the scene but was apprehended a half-mile away when his car hit a curb and was disabled.

Edison Police Dept. NJ

EDISON, N. J. – 02/19/2017 — A man who crashed his car into a tree Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, killing a passenger, was accused of drunk driving, authorities said.

Mandeep Singh, 21, of Edison, has been charged with driving while intoxicated and death by auto, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Joel Patrone, 22, of Edison, was killed after the car Singh was driving veered off the road and hit a tree, officials said.

An unidentified 22-year-old Edison woman, who was also a passenger in the car, and Singh, were both hospitalized following the crash, according to police.

Singh is listed in stable condition and the woman in good condition, police said.

An investigation into the crash determined that Singh was intoxicated at the time of the crash and charged him with driving while intoxicated and death by auto, police said.

Sgt. Michael Carter of the Edison Police Department and Detective Donald Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office are still investigating the crash, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Carter of the Edison Police Department at (732) 248-7400 or Detective Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-8842.

FRIENDS KILL FRIENDS WHEN DRIVING DRUNK OR ON DRUGS

where do i start man.. we met during little league all stars and been tight ever since, our parents would always enjoy the games, families were close and more. we survived on that team with me you guilfred and eric. I remember when we had a tournament in monroe and we were sitting in the outfield bored as all get out. Once high school hit, it just got better, freshman football was hilarious but i feel like baseball was the funniest. before a game you were pitching bp and took one right in the stomach and flexed it off. or even the time you came to my house with an extra tv and your xbox just so we can play all night ..you always brought laughter, respect and kindness to the table. i would always go to costco ants your mom how you were doing and all. I’m gonna miss you man, it wont be the same

Heartbroken to hear that one of my best friends, Joel Patrone, passed today. He had an energy that was very contagious and I always saw God’s light shine on his face whenever I would see him.