Nineveh man charged with DUI in crash
WAYNESBURG – A Nineveh man who crashed his pickup truck into an oncoming vehicle last month was charged Friday with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol, state police said.
Police said Kory Thomas Watson, 22, of 168 Andrew Road, had a blood-alcohol content of .159 percent following the crash at 2:19 a.m. June 4 on Route 19, just north of Orchard Road, in Franklin Township.
The driver of the other vehicle, John R. Mantenuti, 69, of East Millsboro, who was on his way home from work at the time of the crash, was hospitalized for two weeks and suffered internal bleeding, four broken ribs, a broken hip, broken pelvis and bruised kidney, police said. He will be unable to return to work for at least six months, police said.
Trooper Kevin Kulka said after arriving at the scene of the crash, he spoke to Watson, who a strong smell of alcohol on his breath.
Kulka said Watson told him his vehicle crossed the center line and collided with the oncoming vehicle. He allegedly admitted to investigators that the crash was his fault, the criminal complaint said. Kulka said Watson also told him he had just left a bar and was on his way to Morgantown, W.Va.
Watson was arraigned Friday before District Judge Glenn Bates. In addition to aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, a felony, Watson is charged with misdemeanor counts of DUI and summary offenses including reckless driving and careless driving.
Watson’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 8 before Bates. He was released on $20,000 unsecured bond.