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Pocono News Section
Man Charged in D.U.I. Death
Man Charged in D.U.I. Death - Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 4:17PM EST
Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 @ 04:17pm EST
WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY -- Shane Herbert of Bear Creek Township was brought into district court here Thursday, charged with vehicular homicide.
Herbert was just 19 years old on August 30th, when police say he was driving drunk in his pick-up truck along Route 115 in Bear Creek Township at 10:30am. Troopers say he was speeding in the wrong lane when he slammed head-on into a car.
One witness told police Herbert was weaving in and out of traffic, and after the accident, he got out of the truck holding a beer.
"It's a complete careless disregard for the safety of others," said Trooper Tom Kelly. "It just shows the arrogance of the individual to cause such a serious accident and then get out of the car with a can of beer in your hand looking at the victim."
Three people in the other car were hurt including the driver, 69-year-old Michael Coffee of Mountain Top. He suffered serious injuries in the crash and died from them last month, one day after his birthday.
"It's an unfortunate circumstance," added Kelly. "You have an individual who lived 69 years full of life and to be taken away by a careless drunk driver who's underage is a disgrace. It's upsetting to the whole community."
Troopers found several empty and full cans of beer on the passenger seat and in the bed of the truck. They say Herbert's blood alcohol content was .139%.
Police say alcohol was behind Herbert's previous run-in with the law, a simple assault case. He told the judge he was out on unsecured bail for that incident, when he caused the deadly accident in August.
Herbert is free on $5,000 bail. He's not allowed to leave his parents' home, except for work or medical appointments. The judge also says Herbert will be randomly tested for drug and alcohol use during the bail period. His preliminary hearing is November 26th.
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