CLARION BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) — A Clarion woman who drove her daughter to school while allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine waived her hearing on Tuesday.
Court documents indicate the following charges against 28-year-old Samantha Ann Yager, of Clarion, were waived for court on Tuesday, November 5:
– Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Misdemeanor 1
– DUI: Controlled Substance — Impaired Ability — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– Marijuana-Small Amount Personal Use, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
– Driving While BAC .02 or Greater While License Suspended, Summary
– Driving Without A License, Summary
The charges have been transferred to the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.
Yager remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail on $10,000.00 monetary bail.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Clarion Borough on October 15.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint filed in Magisterial District Judge Duane Quinn’s office, around 8:20 a.m. on October 15, Officer Maxwell, of the Clarion Borough Police Department, was at the Clarion Area Elementary School handing out seat belt pamphlets when he observed a Burgundy Pontiac coupe pulling off Boundary Street. He recognized the driver as Samantha Ann Yager, who he was aware had her driver’s license DUI suspended.
According to the complaint, Yager rolled down her window, and Officer Maxwell asked her why she was driving, as her license was suspended. Yager stated she was aware that she was suspended, but said she had to get her daughter to school. Officer Maxwell observed a very young child in the backseat who Yager noted turned four that day. Officer Maxwell then had Yager pull into the school lot and her daughter unloaded.
The complaint notes that Yager seemed jittery and anxious.
After Yager dropped her daughter off at the school, Chief William Peck also arrived at the scene, and Chief Peck and Officer Maxwell spoke to Yager.
According to the complaint, Yager continued to seem jittery and was unable to stand still — fidgeting, scratching a lot, and “making other odd body movements.” Chief Peck then asked Yager if she was taking any drugs.
Yager allegedly stated that she had consumed meth about four days earlier. ]After talking with Yager, she also admitted to smoking meth the previous day, the complaint states.
Yager was showing significant signs of impairment and was “all over the place emotionally,” the complaint states.
Chief Peck and Officer Maxwell went to Yager’s vehicle and observed a baggie containing what appeared to be drug residue on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Yager stated the bag had previously had a marijuana pipe inside it. A wrapper from a suboxone packet was also visible on the passenger’s side, according to the complaint.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was then conducted, and officers found a small baggie of marijuana and a capped needle.
Yager was then placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. She was transported to the Clarion-based State Police station where a DRE evaluation was conducted by Corporal Hunsberger.
According to the complaint, Corporal Hunsberger completed his evaluation and stated that he saw significant signs of impairment and recommended a blood draw. During the evaluation, Yager again admitted to consuming meth the prior day. It was also noted that she had very fresh track marks on her arms. She allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana the previous day.
Corporal Hunsberger stated there was significant evidence that Yager was under the influence of methamphetamine, as well as a narcotic. Yager was then transported to the Clarion Hospital where she refused the blood test.
She was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn at 2:45 p.m. on October 15.
