TOBY TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A Rimersburg man is facing felony charges after a DUI crash that left another man with serious injuries.
According to court documents, Clarion-based State Police filed criminal charges against 61-year-old Dennis Scott Horner, of Rimersburg.
Around 7:37 p.m. on February 17, Trooper Shapiro was dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on State Route 68 in Toby Township. When he arrived on the scene, he found two vehicles off the roadway, both with heavy damage to the 11 o’clock positions. One vehicle was a blue Chevy Blazer operated by a known man, and the other vehicle was a white Dodge Caravan operated by Dennis Horner, according to a criminal complaint.
Horner was already being transported to the hospital when Trooper Shapiro arrived on scene. During the investigation, it was discovered that Horner had crossed over the double yellow line and struck the other vehicle head-on.
While investigating the crash, Trooper Shapiro discovered the following conditions concerning Dennis Horner:
– His vehicle had multiple empty containers of alcoholic beverages inside;
– He does not possess insurance for the vehicle;
– He does not possess a valid driver license due to his license being suspended;
– He has been labeled as a Habitual Offender;
– He does not have the vehicle properly registered;
– He took plates off an older vehicle and placed it on the vehicle he was operating; and
– The vehicle was not inspected.
Horner had been determined as at fault for the crash, according to the complaint.
Around 9:00 p.m. Horner was interviewed at Clarion Hospital Emergency Room. Horner smelled of alcoholic beverage and had bloodshot eyes. Horner told Trooper Shapiro that he did not know what happened with the crash. He declined a blood draw, the complaint states.
Trooper Shapiro obtained a search warrant for Horner’s blood that was taken at Clarion Hospital. Horner’s BAC at the time of the crash was .287%.
The driver of the Chevy Blazer suffered multiple injuries, including a broken leg which has required multiple surgeries since the time of the crash, as well as other injuries associated with being hit head-on by Horner. A passenger in the Chevy Blazer also sustained minor injuries from the crash.
On February 21, Clarion-based State Police filed the following charges against Horner at the office of Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller:
– Aggravated Assault By Vehicle While DUI, Felony 2
– Accident Involving Death/Injury-Not Properly Licensed, Felony 3
– DUI: General Impairment/Incompetent of Driving Safely — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI: Highest Rate of Alcohol (BAC .16+) 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– Habitual Offenders, Misdemeanor 2
– Driving While BAC .02 or Greater While License Suspended, Summary
– Driving Unregistered Vehicle, Summary
– Fail To Carry Registration, Summary
– Notice Of Change Of Name Or Address, Summary
– Fail To Replace Lost Plates, Summary
– Allow Illegal Use Of Plate/Card, Summary
– Display Plate Card In Improper Vehicle, Summary
– Driving W/O A License, Summary
– Fail To Comply License Restrict, Summary
– Operating Vehicle W/O Req’d Financial Responsibility, Summary
– Fail To Keep Right, Summary
– Fail to Yield Right, Summary
– Disregard Traffic Lane (Single), Summary
– Driving at Safe Speed, Summary
– Careless Driving, Summary
– Reckless Driving, Summary
– Restrictions on Alcoholic Beverages, Summary
– Fail to use safety belt — driver and front seat occupant, Summary
– Operating Vehicle W/O Valid Inspection, Summary
Horner is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing.
