CLEARFIELD – An Osceola Mills man who struck two homes with his vehicle pleaded guilty Tuesday in Clearfield County Court.
Monroe William Bell, 44 of Osceola Mills, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, accidents involving death or personal injury, recklessly endangering another person, accidents involving damage and other related charges. He was sentenced to one to three years in state prison and two years probation. He was fined $5,458 and must pay restitution of over $17,000. Bell must surrender his license, complete the DUI School, and undergo a drug and alcohol assessment. He must also comply with Act 63 which requires he install an ignition interlock system in his vehicle or lose his license for an additional year.
Prior to sentencing, Bell addressed the court stating that he was not drinking during the accident and only started drinking after it occurred.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Feb. 2, Bell was driving his vehicle alongHale Streetin Osceola Mills when he lost control and failed to stop at a stop sign. The truck traveled across Pruner Streetand struck two houses causing damage to both.
A witness approached the vehicle and attempted to stopBellfrom fleeing the scene. As the witness stood in the open driver’s door, Bell backed the vehicle onto the roadway, striking another vehicle. The witness was thrown into the second vehicle and suffered minor injuries. Bell then fled the scene. He was later found in his vehicle at his residence.
When police approached him they could smell a strong odor of alcohol. Bell was also staggering, had slurred speech and was uncooperative, refusing to provide his identification or insurance information. After he was taken to the Clearfield Hospitalf or a blood test to determine his blood alcohol content, he refused to submit to the test.