CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man and military veteran was in court Tuesday to answer for causing an accident that seriously injured another man when they were involved in a fiery crash in March 2023.
Rodney Adam McBride, 42, pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, DUI and two summaries.
During sentencing court on Tuesday, McBride’s attorney Thomas M. Dickey told President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman that he was going to offer an “explanation not an excuse” for his client’s actions.
Dickey said McBride, a veteran, is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder from his time in the military in the Gulf War and being caught in a Tsunami. McBride’s chose to self-medicate as his way to handle it.
He presented letters in support of McBride and certificates for his time in treatment to the court. Dickey asked Ammerman to give McBride a county jail sentence with time credit for his rehabilitation efforts.
Ammerman read from the victim’s impact statement which said he suffered four broken ribs and had to be off work for months. This impacted not only the victim, but his family as well. The victim asked that McBride get help for his alcohol addiction.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, McBride’s blood alcohol content after the crash was 0.40 percent. He also tested positive for THC.
First Assistant District Attorney F. Cortez “Chip” Bell stated that he appreciates McBride’s service, but said they have to consider the victim who was in the courtroom but decided not to speak. Bell reminded Ammerman that an earlier plea in June 2024 was rejected after McBride failed a drug test.
McBride apologized to the victim. “I am sorry from the bottom of my heart,” he told him. He then thanked the victim, adding “you saved my life.”
He then explained that this incident changed his world and “I’m sober and I love being sober.”
In answer to previous comments that the crash was over two years ago, McBride said, “I was never running from this crime. I am 100% taking responsibility.”
Ammerman sentenced McBride to serve six months to one year in the county jail with two years concurrent probation. He noted there would be no credit toward that time from rehab facilities.
The crash happened on the Glen Richey Highway in Lawrence Township on March 12, 2023 at 5:13 p.m. When police arrived on the scene, McBride’s vehicle was 10 yards off the roadway in a grassy field with the front end engulfed in flames. Two bystanders were able to extract McBride from the vehicle.
The driver of the other car which was just off the roadway with heavy damage to the front end said he was having pain in his right rib area.
The victim told police he was traveling south when the other vehicle crossed the double yellow line moving into his lane and struck him. Physical evidence at the scene confirmed this account of the crash, according to the affidavit.
