CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man was charged on Tuesday in relation to a motor vehicle accident in which he allegedly ran over a woman’s legs while under the influence of alcohol.
Thomas S. Wallace, 42, faces charges of DUI and aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Oct. 10 at about 8:12 p.m., police were dispatched for a hit-and-run involving a tractor trailer and a pedestrian at the intersection of Polk and Cumberland Streets. Police arrived on scene at about 8:13 p.m. and observed a woman lying on her back on the northern side of Cumberland Street on the sidewalk. She was being attended by others already on scene. Police said she appeared to have serious traumatic injury to both her legs.
Bystanders related the woman’s name, as well as the suspect’s name. Police were informed that Wallace failed to stop after the accident and had turned right onto Cumberland Street from Polk Street. A BOLO was then issued for Wallace.
At about 8:16 p.m. police located the tractor trailer on state Route 879 in Lawrence Township. The vehicle was off the road near Inustrial Park Drive, but no driver was present. A short time later Officer Shawn Fye advised that he had detained Wallace at the truck. Officer David Fye arrive on scene and spoke with Wallace. According to the affidavit, when informed why he was being detained, Wallace denied any knowledge of striking the woman.
Officer David Fye noted in the affidavit that Wallace had bloodshot, glassy eyes and had an odor of alcohol about him and that he was unsteady as he walked to the patrol vehicle.
Officer David Fye went to the passenger side of the trailer and observe what he stated “appeared to be flesh and blood” on the rear tire flaps. Due to the circumstances, Officer David Fye requested assistance from the state police for a trooper and forensic unit.
A trooper arrived on scene and requested that Wallace submit to a PBT. According to the affidavit, Wallace failed the PBT as well as a battery of field sobriety tests. Wallace was then placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI. He was transported to Clearfield Hospital for blood testing. Blood was taken and sent to the PSP’s Erie Regional Crime Lab. According to the affidavit, Wallace’s BAC came back at 0.084 percent.
After the blood was taken, Wallace was taken to the Clearfield Borough Police station. He was advised of his Constitutional Warnings and asked if he wanted to discuss the incident. He declined to speak with police without first speaking with an attorney. He was released from police custody on Oct. 11 at roughly 4 a.m. and returned to his residence.
On Oct. 10 at 9:14 p.m., the forensic unit arrived. It was decided that the vehicle Wallace was driving would be towed and stored until a search warrant could be obtained. The mud flaps were removed from the vehicle at this time.
On Oct. 10 at 10:48 p.m., two state troopers from the forensic unit went to the scene of the accident and conducted their portion of the investigation.
On Oct. 11 at about 1:30 p.m., police served a search warrant and checked out the tractor trailer. Photos were taken and a latent print was lifted from the passenger side of the truck and as well as several biological samples from the trailer.
Police said that the alleged victim suffered serious traumatic injuries to both of her legs. This required treatment services by or at Clearfield Emergency Medical Services, STAT MedEvac, Altoona Regional and Allegheny General Hospital.