Apr 9, 2013 2 min read

A Charleroi man was charged by Charleroi Regional police with driving under the influence of alcohol and flight to avoid apprehension after a crash April 1 at Crest and First avenues.

Jon A. Prentice, 48, of 521 First St., reportedly fled on foot after crashing into a utility pole. Police said they found 23 empty cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer in Prentice’s car, as well as 25 unopened cans from a 30-pack of the beer.

Police went to Prentice’s home after learning that he was the registered owner of the vehicle. The door to the home was found open when police arrived. They said they went inside and found hundreds of empty Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans covering “every inch” of the floor, according to documents filed at the office of District Judge Larry Hopkins.

Prentice was seen leaving a neighbor’s home and was taken into custody. He told police that his accelerator was stuck when he crashed into the pole. Police said Prentice also admitted that he had been drinking.

Prentice initially refused to submit to a blood-alcohol test but agreed to have blood drawn after officers told him a refusal would result in his losing his license for a year. He was taken to Monongahela Valley Hospital, where blood was drawn.

Police indicated on the criminal complaint that Prentice has three previous drunken driving convictions. The charges will be sent by summons from Hopkins’ office.