Month: July 2015

Sentence Passed in DUI Manslaughter Trial

Posted by Steven Kellis on

second-timeA man has been sentenced to jail for his role in an accident that killed a pedestrian in 2013 while he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Gregg R. Baratka, 38, of Brighton was sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski of Allegheny County to a sentence between 8 and 23 months’ imprisonment with an additional four years’ probation.

According to court records, Baratka informed police that he was turning left in his pickup truck from Brighton Road onto Woods Run Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 2013, when he heard his side-view mirror hit his window. Eyewitnesses to the incident informed Baratka that he had struck a pedestrian. Baratka immediately called 911 and waited for police to arrive at the scene of the accident.

The pedestrian that Baratka struck was James Lepinsky, 88, who died four days later as the result of blunt force trauma suffered when Baratka’s vehicle struck him.… Read More

Man Offers Apology at DUI Manslaughter Trial

Posted by Steven Kellis on

download (1)A man believed to be responsible for the death of a Ligonier police officer’s death after he drove the wrong way on Route 30 while under the influence of alcohol offered a tearful apology at his arraignment in court last week.

According to court documents, Clair Fink, 32, of Ligonier, was taken to the Westmoreland County Prison after his arraignment before a district judge in Derry Township.

Fink has been charged with third degree murder, homicide by vehicle and driving while under the influence of alcohol and other related offenses.

Trooper Eslary, 40, was on patrol in a marked SUV on Route 30 westbound near the Idlewild park entrance around 2 a.m. May 5th when he was struck by a wrong-way driver investigators identified as Fink.

When Fink’s blood was drawn at the hospital, test results showed that he had a blood alcohol level of 0.197 percent — more than twice the legal limit of 0.08… Read More

Underage Drinking Sends 3 to Hospital

Posted by Steven Kellis on

downloadWhen kids go off to college it can be a challenge for parents, especially if their child ends up in the hospital. Recently, three Kentucky teens were hospitalized after becoming intoxicated enough to require hospitalization. One of the three students who is 18 years old, was left in serious condition with blood on the brain. By law, their parents did not have the right to review their child’s medical records. Even though the teen indulged in underage drinking, because they were at the age of majority and no longer a minor.

The problem might have been avoided if their parents had them sign a HIPPA release form. Parents wanting to avoid similar problems can download the HIPAA release form and get their college-aged child to sign it before heading off to school.

Underage drinking is a concern to most parents who send their children off to college. The Law Offices of Steven E.… Read More

Donovan McNabb’s BAC Twice Legal Limit in Latest Arrest

Posted by Steven Kellis on

download (27)According to recent information released by authorities, former NFL football player, Donovan McNabb’s blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he was arrested for DUI in Arizona in June.

Gilbert, AX police sources say that lab results indicated that McNabb had a blood alcohol level of 0.17 at the time of his arrest. The legal limit in Arizona is 0.08.

This comes as the second DUI arrest for McNabb. In April he spent a day in jail for a misdemeanor DUI charge from December of 2013 with nine days suspended sentence. This latest charge could mean jail time for the former football star.

No matter if you are a celebrity or not, anyone can be charged with driving under the influence if they choose to drink and drive. Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substances is considered a criminal offense in every state.… Read More

State Police Chase Alleged DUI Driver in Construction Zone

Posted by Steven Kellis on

download (90)A man has been arrested for DUI after leading State Police in a chase through a construction zone in Chase County.

Police say that they attempted to stop a vehicle that was being driven by Christopher M. Griedel, 29, of Clarksville, at appositely 3:00 a.m. near Southwest Regional Hospital in Franklin when he attempted to evade police.

Griedel drove off, running a red light and a stop sign. Police pursued Griedel who was travelling Westbound on a Route 21. Concrete construction barriers in the area blocked Griedel from further escape. Griedel was arrested and taken into custody by state police officers.

Griedel is currently facing charges of DDUI, attempting to elude a police officer as well as multiple moving traffic violations.

Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol and then attempting to flee the authorities when they attempt to pull you over is never a wise move. In the state of Pennsylvania, the legal limit for blood alcohol levels is no greater than 0.08… Read More

Trash Talk after McNabb get Nabbed for 2nd DUI

Posted by Steven Kellis on

download (89)Nearly ten years after the off-season spat between Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens that had McNabb telling Owens to “keep my name out of your mouth”, Owens managed to get in another dig against his football rival.

McNabb, who is currently an NFL analyst on FOX Sports, was recently arrested and charged with a second DUI in less than two years.

Owens admonished McNabb saying that, “DUI is a very serious thing. The number of lives that have been lost from it are staggering. It’s a blessing no one was hurt. We may not still be playing, but we still serve as role models. You have to be more responsible.”

Owens also added some helpful advice for McNabb: “Next time, call Uber.”

Sports figures often serve as role models for children and young adults. As Owens said, being responsible is part of being a role model.

No matter what the circumstances surrounding a DUI arrest are, facing those charges can be very serious.… Read More

Bill Introduced to Ban Powdered Alcohol

Posted by Steven Kellis on

images (5)The manufacturers of Palcohol or powdered alcohol are now facing a bill introduced in the Pennsylvania State Legislature that would largely prohibit it within the state.

On Thursday, legislators in the State House passed a bill that would make it illegal to possess, sell or use the substance, which is derived from vodka. The bill was sent to the Senate.

Critics of Palcohol say that the ban is needed since it is potentially dangerous in the hands of children and that too much of the substance can easily be consumed if the powdered alcohol is added to other alcoholic drinks to make them even stronger.

State liquor regulators determined that it was illegal to sell the substance in Pennsylvania earlier this year.

The problem of drinking and driving is already a problem in this country. Regardless of how alcohol is consumed, anyone who gets behind the wheel after consuming alcohol and has a blood alcohol content of more than 0.08… Read More

Officers Accused of Covering Up Cop DUI

Posted by Steven Kellis on

download (36)The Jersey City Police Department is facing possible allegations of an alleged cover-up for an officer who is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to official sources, on January 30, 2014 Sergeant Vincent Corso was stopped on Route 130 South in Mercer County after an officer from the Robbinsville Township police witnessed Corso going at a rate of speed over 72 mph in a 55 mph zone. The Robbinsville Township officer also noted that Corso’s vehicle had a headlight out on the driver’s side and was crossing over the white line on the roadway.

Corso informed the RTPD officer that he was with Jersey City’s Police Department.

Dashcam video obtained by a local news agency show several RTPD officers responding to the scene to assist. Officers found Corso to be highly intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle.

The officers at the scene determined that Corso was too intoxicated to be carrying a weapon.… Read More