CLEARFIELD – A Woodland man has been accused of driving under the influence of various drugs and possessing a stolen handgun.
Zachary S. Duckett, 28, was originally charged by Clearfield-based state police with felony counts of receiving stolen property, possession of firearm prohibited and firearms not to be carried without a license; three misdemeanor DUI offenses; and 15 summaries.
On Wednesday Duckett waived his right to a preliminary hearing on all the charges, except one. The felony charge of possession of a firearm prohibited was withdrawn. His bail was set at $5,000.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, state police were on routine patrol at approximately 3:54 a.m. April 20 and traveling east on Sanborn Road in Decatur Township.
A trooper observed a red Jeep Wrangler with a black soft-top directly ahead of his patrol unit. He began to follow the vehicle as it approached a stop sign at the intersection of Sanborn and Ashland roads.
The driver didn’t come to a complete stop, and he turned right onto Ashland Road. The trooper continued following the vehicle and the driver reportedly had a difficult time maintaining a single lane of travel.
Several times the Jeep traveled partially outside of its designated lane. It also traveled on the double yellow lines for a short time period, state police said.
The trooper suspected the driver was under the influence. He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 200 block of Ashland Road.
As he approached the vehicle, the trooper didn’t detect an odor of alcohol. However, he did observe that the driver’s eyes were bloodshot and watery.
The trooper requested for the driver’s license, registration and insurance information. He also advised the driver the reason for the traffic stop.
The driver, identified as Duckett, indicated he didn’t have his license with him. When he spoke, he reportedly had slow, slurred speech.
When he observed the passenger, Kristen Erin Corson, 35, of Coalport, the trooper suspected that she was under the influence of a controlled substance. He requested Duckett to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests.
The trooper determined Duckett showed signs of impairment, and advised him of this. Duckett told the trooper he was on some prescribed medications; he was subsequently taken to the Clearfield barracks to be evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert.
A handgun was found in the possession of Corson in her purse. It was neither registered to her, nor Duckett. The gun was allegedly stolen and in Duckett’s vehicle until Corson put it in her purse.
At the barracks, a trooper performed DRE testing. Duckett showed further signs of intoxication, according to the affidavit. He was taken to the hospital for chemical testing.
Laboratory results showed that Duckett was intoxicated by amphetamine, methamphetamine, Lorazepam, Clonazepam, 7-Amino Clonazepam, methadone and EDDP.
Corson has also been charged with one felony count each of receiving stolen property and firearms not to be carried without a license. She had her preliminary hearing continued until June 13.
