Photo by James Short.
A Sellersville man is facing charges stemming from a multi-vehicle crash that occurred last month on Dekalb Pike in Whitpain Township.
Police were dispatched to the scene near the intersection with Tournament Drive at 12:52 p.m. on May 16 for a report of a two-vehicle crash. Arriving officers located a blue Mazda 3 with heavy front-end damage in the intersection, and a white Chevy Impala with disabling damage approximately 100 yards north of the intersection.
An investigation into the crash revealed the Mazda was traveling southbound on Dekalb Pike when it attempted to make a left turn into the community college on a yellow light, police said. A vehicle traveling northbound on Dekalb Pike stopped at the yellow light to allow the Mazda to complete the turn, at which point the Chevy — which was also traveling northbound behind the stopped vehicle — went into the construction zone on the shoulder, attempted to pass through the intersection and struck the Mazda, according to charging documents.
They Chevy then continued northbound on Dekalb Pike for approximately 300 feet before coming to a stop, police said.
The driver of the Impala, identified as 32-year-old Antonio Thrower, told police at the scene that he believed the vehicle in front of him was going to proceed through the intersection on the yellow light, but when it did not, he went around it on the shoulder to avoid a collision and entered the intersection, where he struck the Mazda, the report states. When asked why his vehicle ended up so far away from the scene of the crash, Thrower allegedly told police he was in shock and hit his head in the crash.
The complaint notes Thrower had a small cut on his right cheek, but he later declined being injured and refused medical treatment.
Police described Thrower as having bloodshot and glassy eyes, slurred speech, and an odor of alcohol emanating from his person. He reportedly told police that he had two shots of alcohol prior to the crash, and he allegedly showed multiple indicators of impairment during a series of field sobriety tests at the scene, the report states.
Test results from blood taken from Thrower after the crash showed he had a blood-alcohol concentration of .069% — which is below the legal limit of .08% — however police noted the test results also showed elevated levels of delta-9 THC in his blood at the time of the crash, according to the criminal complaint.
As a result of the crash, Thrower has been charged with misdemeanor counts of DUI: controlled substance, DUI: general impairment, and accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property — otherwise referred to as “hit and run.” With the latter charge, investigators are alleging Thrower attempted to flee the scene of the crash, prior to the vehicle stopping due to disabling damage. He is also charged with summary counts of reckless driving and disregarding traffic lanes.
Court records show charges were filed via summons on June 21, and his first court appearance will be a preliminary hearing on Aug. 8 at noon in front of Magisterial District Judge Suzan Leonard.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
