PAINT TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A Shippenville man is facing a series of charges after he crashed his vehicle and then allegedly stole beer from a volunteer firefighter’s vehicle while he was hiding in it at the scene of the crash.
Court documents indicate the Clarion-based State Police filed criminal charges against 28-year-old Eric Lee Hargenrader, of Shippenville.
According to a criminal complaint, around 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday, March 20, Trooper Allison responded to a report of a three-vehicle crash on State Route 66 near the entrance to IA Construction.
According to the complaint, the crash occurred as Eric Hargenrader’s vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lane and sideswiped a tractor-trailer that was traveling north on the east side berm, attempting to avoid the collision. After sideswiping the tractor-trailer, Hargenrader’s vehicle rotated counterclockwise and continued south with the front facing east for approximately 58 feet. It was then struck by a northbound passenger vehicle.
Trooper Allison noted major damage to both sides of Hargenrader’s vehicle, major damage to the entire left side of the tractor-trailer, and major damage to the front of the passenger vehicle. He also noted yawl marks on State Route 66 displaying the path of Hargenrader’s vehicle.
At the scene, Trooper Allison was informed that the driver of the passenger vehicle was transported to the Clarion Hospital Emergency Room for unknown injuries. The tractor-trailer operator stated that he witnessed Hargenrader’s vehicle traveling south in the northbound lane, and he drove off the east side of the road in an attempt to avoid a collision. He also stated that Hargenrader’s vehicle sideswiped his vehicle.
Trooper Allison was informed by the ambulance personnel that Hargenrader refused medical treatment, and they did not know where he went.
According to the complaint, Hargenrader had not made himself available after Trooper Allison’s arrival at the scene. Around 7:40 a.m., Trooper Allison found him in the rear of a vehicle belonging to a firefighter who responded to the scene. Hargenrader was found drinking a beer and had two empty beer bottles on the seat next to him. Trooper Allison noted Hargenrader had a strong odor of alcohol around his person, his eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and his speech was slurred, the complaint states.
Hargenrader was then taken into custody and transported to the Clarion Hospital. Trooper Shapiro administered a portable breathalyzer test, and it indicated a high level of alcohol on Hargenrader’s breath. Trooper Shapiro also read Hargenrader the implied consent and O’Connell warnings, and Hargenrader refused chemical testing.
On Monday, March 26, Trooper Allison interviewed the firefighter who owned the vehicle in which Hargenrader had been found. The firefighter stated that he did not permit Hargenrader to drink the beer he had in a cooler in the back of his vehicle. He said Hargenrader must have gotten into his cooler while he was assisting at the scene of the crash, the complaint states.
Based on the investigation, the following charges were filed against Hargenrader on Tuesday, April 3, in Magisterial District Judge Timothy P. Schill’s office:
– DUI: General Impairment/Incompetent of Driving Safely — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor 1
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Failure To Keep Right, Summary
– Disregard Traffic Lane (Single), Summary
– Careless Driving, Summary
– Reckless Driving, Summary
– Restrictions on Alcoholic Beverages, Summary
Hargenrader is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing.
