March 2015 | Steven E. Kellis

Month: March 2015

White Plains Firefighter Allegedly Drove DUI in Crash

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on March 30, 2015

An off-duty White Plains firefighter has been accused for his role in a fatal wrong-way crash and is facing a 16-count indictment.

According to Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore, Erik Refvik, a firefighter with the White Plains Fire Department, is currently charges which include aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Investigators believe that Refvik was driving his Chevy Tahoe near Post Road when he allegedly turned the wrong way onto on South Lexington Avenue. He allegedly T-boned the Honda carrying 47-year-old Reyda La Madrid and her 49-year-old husband, Edgar Lopez while they were delivering newspapers. The accident happened as they were crossing South Lexington Avenue. Newspaper deliver Reyda La Madrid died at the scene while her husband suffered serious injuries.

Police say Refvik was speeding at the time of the crash and continued even after hitting the Honda. Refvik’s vehicle pushed the Honda approximately 200 feet down the road while the couple was trapped inside.… Read More

Alleged DUI Driver Arrested for Erratic Driving in the Holland Tunnel

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on March 29, 2015

An Episcopalian minister has been charged with drunken driving after driving erratically through the Holland Tunnel on Friday. According to authorities, police were called after witnesses saw an orange Toyota swerving between lanes and striking the tunnel curb at approximately, 6:00 p.m. Friday evening. At one point, witnesses say the vehicle also came to a stop inside the tunnel.

Police pulled over Rev. Diane Reiners, 53, of Claremont Ave. When she emerged from the tunnel she was pulled over by police. Officers found an open bottle of vodka and pain pills inside of Reiners’ vehicle. Rev Reiners failed a field sobriety test and was charged with DWI, reckless driving and possession of alcohol and a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

Anyone who gets behind the wheel after consuming alcohol can be arrested for DUI. No matter where you are who you are, driving while under the influence of alcohol is considered a crime.… Read More

Police Searching for Outstanding DUI Warrants

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on March 22, 2015

Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies have begun knocking on doors in order to locate people who currently have outstanding warrants for DUI. So far, deputies have taken eight people into custody with three additional people with outstanding warrants turning themselves in. One woman who was taken into custody had five outstanding DUI warrants. The public is also being encouraged via social media to help find those with outstanding DUI warrants.

Montgomery County sheriff Russell Bono says the message should be clear: Defendants should fulfill their obligation, answer their subpoenas, and appear on their court dates or face the consequences. We agree too, but you should have a skilled DUI lawyer on your side as well.

Steven E. Kellis has many years representing clients in DUI cases in the Philadelphia area. Mr. Kellis will meet with you, even if you are currently in jail. If you or a loved one is currently facing the charge of DUI, call the Law Offices of Steven E.… Read More

Man Faces up to 30 Years for DUI Crash

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on March 18, 2015

images William Liepe of Hamilton Township is facing up to 30 years in prison for causing a crash that killed a 9-year-old boy and partially paralyzed another. Leipe is accused of driving drunk with a blood alcohol level of nearly triple the legal limit when he crashed his car in the fatal accident.

No matter what the circumstances are, no one should ever get behind the wheel and drive while under the influence of alcohol. Accidents that end in serious injury or even death – especially when a child is seriously hurt or tragically loses their life are hard to forgive. In recent years, the laws across the country have gotten tougher on drunken drivers. When facing such a charge, having a good, solid defense lawyer who will fight on your side is important.

If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI, or DWI, give the offices of Steven Kellis a call. … Read More

Craft Beers Now More Affordable Due to new State Alcohol Rules

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on March 10, 2015

The board of the state’s alcohol regulators recently interpreted rules surrounding the sale of craft beers has now made them more affordable to consumers. Now, due to this recent interpretation, the cost could be cut in half by allowing beer warehouses to sell 12-packs. According to Matt Allyn, founder of Meadville’s Voodoo Brewery, this new interpretation will definitely mean a boost for their business by allowing quantities of less than a case or a keg to be sold by the state of Pennsylvania’s 1,200 beer distributors. This gives consumers a chance to try new beers at a more affordable price.

Not everyone is pleased with the decision, however. Tavern owners expressed displeasure at the PLCB opinion because it will ultimately affect their bottom line. The board says that it will provide more convenience for consumers.

Enjoying good fun and drinks with friends should always be done safely. Drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated should never be an option.… Read More

Be Careful if you Serve Alcohol at Home

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on March 9, 2015

Pittsburgh celebrants of St. Patrick’s Day will be getting into the full swing this weekend leading up to the day on Tuesday. If you are planning on throwing a party in your own home marking this important cultural holiday, checking ID’s at the door may be a good idea for homeowners. It is against the law to serve alcohol to minors, even in your own home. Failure to prevent such a thing can, it can mean hefty fines and lawsuits. The City of Pittsburgh has also enacted its own social host ordinance. However, the city of Pittsburgh ordinances carry lesser penalties with a fine of $500 and up to 72 hours behind bars.

Property owners have a unique responsibility to be aware of what is going on their own property and are the ones who can put a stop to it. Because there are many college students in Pittsburgh during this time for spring break, property owners have to be extra vigilant. … Read More

Man Convicted of 10th DUI, Sent to Prison

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on March 5, 2015

images A 10th DUI has sent a man to prison on Tuesday. According to authorities, the 59-year-old man has had cases that date back as far as 1976. The district attorney’s office said that Allegheny County Judge Kelly Bigley ordered Charles Ninness, 59, of the Bluff neighborhood in Pittsburgh to a sentence of 3 to 6 years. “based in part on being a repeat felon for the cases dating back to 1976 and for the current case being a third offense, since it was the third case in the past 10 years.”

Ninness was also sentenced to serve an additional six months to one year sentence consecutively for probation violations from his last DUI case where he was pulled over by an East Deer Township officer at approximately 1:00 a.m. on July 20th.

The district attorney’s office said that Ninness pleaded guilty in December to DUI and driving on a suspended license.… Read More

Man Convicted of DUI Manslaughter

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on March 3, 2015

A man has been convicted of killing a local business man while driving under the influence and will spend the next four-and-a-half to nine years in prison. Robert Freund was found guilty in the December death of 60-year-old James Posey on Route 51 while intoxicated.

According to police, Freund was allegedly intoxicated and speeding when his car crossed a concrete median and crashed into Posey’s SUV just three days before Christmas in 2013. The crash also left four other people injured. Several members of Posey’s family were present, including his widow, his daughter, and cousins who survived including his daughter and her cousins who survived the crash. Victim’s statements were heard during the hearing.

Freund and his mother also gave statements expressing remorse. Freund saying he not only took a man’s life, but destroyed many others lives and that he was sorry. Freund was convicted on 14 counts, including homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and multiple DUI counts.… Read More