A Berks County man accused of causing a three-vehicle crash in Lancaster County that injured several people, one seriously, while driving drunk will have his criminal charges decided in Lancaster County Court.
Dustin Clair Stewart, 47, of Ontelaunee Township, waived his preliminary hearing earlier this month before District Judge Raymond Sheller on charges including DUI, aggravated and simple assault and reckless endangerment.Â
Pennsylvania State Police said Stewart and his 12-year-old son were returning from a birthday party on the night of Sept. 8 when they were involved in a crash with two other vehicles on Twin County Road near Ash Road in Caernarvon Township.
Stewart, his son, and three other people were taken to Reading Hospital. One of the other drivers had a broken femur that required a metal rod to be surgically implanted along with 11 cracked ribs and two small brain bleeds. A couple in the third vehicle had whiplash and bruising to their shoulders and backs.
Police said Stewart’s blood alcohol content was .203% more than two hours after the crash. Pennsylvania’s legal limit is .08%.
In a preliminary hearing, prosecutors must present sufficient evidence that a crime was committed, and that the person charged probably is responsible and, therefore, that a jury or judge should hear the case at the county court level. The hearings often are waived.
Stewart is free on $25,000 unsecured bail.
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