Pocono News Section

High School Football Player Arrested for DUI Crash

High School Football Player Arrested for DUI Crash - Monday, January 26, 2009 at 1:36PM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo WYOU TV News
Monday, Jan 26, 2009 @ 01:36pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- 18-year-old Chase Passeri, a West Scranton High School football player, turned himself in to investigators in Scranton Monday to face charges stemming from a drunk driving crash in December.

Police say Passeri had been drinking before his car went out of control on a curve on Newton Road in Newton Township and rolled over several times. Passeri and his four passengers were all injured.

According to the police reports Passeri told investigators he had obtained alcohol for himself and two juveniles at a party in Scranton. People in the car with Passeri told police they tried to get him to slow down but said he would not.

Passeri faces numerous charges including reckless endangering and DUI. His attorney, Jason Mattioli, says Passeri is accepting responsibility for his actions and is more concerned about the welfare of those who were with him than himself. Passeri was the most seriously injured in the crash and still faces surgery on his right arm.

In a related case, 21-year-old John Hendry turned himself in to investigators to face charges of furnishing alcohol to minors. Hendry, of Scranton, admitted purchasing a few bottles of Mad Dog 20/20 and one bottle of Calico Jack Rum for Passeri and one of his friends.