A rollover crash in Jefferson Twp. left several passengers injured and a homeless man facing a slew of criminal charges, according to a criminal complaint.
Brandon Michael Everett, 27, is charged with causing an accident while not licensed, falsely incriminating another and recklessly endangering his passengers.
According to the criminal complaint, at about 9:15 p.m. on Monday, state police responded to Moosic Lake Road for the report of a Jeep Renegade involved in a rollover crash.
Troopers determined Everett had been driving with three passengers, two of whom were not wearing seat belts.
Everett drank at least a pint of vodka before getting behind the wheel, which impaired his ability to drive, according to the criminal complaint.
His passengers told police that, just prior to the crash, he had been driving recklessly and swerving.
One of the passengers described his sudden driving behavior as being “like a NASCAR driver” while they pleaded with him to slow down.
Everett then crossed into the oncoming lane, left the roadway and struck a wall near 2072 Moosic Lake Road, rolling multiple times before his vehicle came to rest on its side.
Everett then attempted to persuade one of his passengers to take responsibility for the crash, saying he was on court-ordered supervision and would get into a significant amount of trouble.
Everett then fled on foot toward Jessup but was soon picked up by emergency medical personnel responding to the scene.
When speaking with troopers, Everett initially denied being behind the wheel at the time of the crash and described his passengers as “snitches.”
He refused to submit to a chemical blood test and didn’t have a driver’s license at the time of the crash, troopers said.
Everett and his three passengers were transported to Geisinger Community Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.
He is charged with three counts of causing an accident with injury, three counts of endangering others, making a false report and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Everett remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Nov. 5 before District Judge Laura Turlip.