DUBOIS – A Punxsutawney man is facing charges following a traffic accident in Bloom Township.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed with District Judge Patrick Ford’s office Feb. 17, Ronald Simpson II, 27, 106 Ellsmore Ave., Punxsutawney, is charged by the DuBois-based state police with driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, illegally operating a vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock, careless driving, reckless driving, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, failure to immediately notify police of an accident, and two summary traffic charges.
According to the affidavit, troopers were on patrol along the Luthersburg-Rockton Road. As the troopers rounded a right curve, they saw a blue pick-up truck, immobilized on the eastbound shoulder, facing southwest and partially blocking traffic. The troopers saw the vehicle had sustained extensive damage to the front end as a result of hitting the south guiderail.
The driver, later identified as Simpson, walked toward the police vehicle and spoke to the troopers. The troopers asked Simpson for his license, which showed an ignition interlock designation. Simpson also allegedly told police that he had been driving and “had a late night” and had fallen asleep on his way home.
The troopers could smell alcohol coming from Simpson and when asked, Simpson allegedly admitted to having consumed alcohol.
Simpson was then given a breath test, which came up positive for alcohol. Simpson was taken to Penn Highlands DuBois where blood-alcohol testing showed Simpson had a BAC of 0.099 percent at the time of the incident.