DUI suspended driver flees police
CARMICHAELS – Charges were filed in Cumberland Township against a former Carmichaels man after he fled from police while driving on a suspended license for driving under the influence Sept. 26.
Richard Duane Yocabet, Jr., 37, of 190 Shady Side Road, Uniontown, is charged with endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, selling or furnishing liquor to a minor and 17 summary traffic violations.
Cumberland police Officer Bryan Smith said he was monitoring traffic on South Eighty Eight Road in Carmichaels when Yocabet passed him at a high rate of speed. Smith gave chase until Yocabet accelerated on a gravel path, exited his vehicle and fled into a wooded area.
There were two passengers in Yocabet’s truck, including Destinee Haney, 19, of Nemacolin, who identified Yocabet as the driver.
Smith said there were open beer cans inside the cab and in a cooler in the back of the truck. Haney told Smith that Yocabet purchased it for her in Masontown and allowed her to drink it.
Yocabet pleaded guilty June 9, 2011, in Fayette County to charges involving two cases of DUI on alcohol and was sentenced to consecutive sentences of 48 hours to six months and 72 hours to six months, respectively.
Yocabet has charges pending in Preston County, W.Va., for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol as a third offense and driving while suspended as a third offense.
A preliminary hearing for Yocabet is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 before District Judge Lee Watson.