Pocono News Section

Man Pleads Guilty to Deadly DUI Crash

Man Pleads Guilty to Deadly DUI Crash - Monday, March 16, 2009 at 5:36PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 @ 05:36pm EST
HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY- Nearly four years after a deadly crash in Wayne County, a Scranton man has accepted responsibility for his actions. The case of Dean O'Halloran has grabbed national headlines because he's the step-son of a PA Sate Police sergeant. Many feared a cover-up.

Stone cold and silent, Dean O'Halloran walked into the Wayne County Courthouse Monday. Minutes later, the 26-year-old pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol.

He admitted causing a crash on Route 590 in Salem Township in April 2005, that took the life of Diane Glynn of Hawley.

Wayne County District Attorney Michael Lehutsky said, “This was a tragic incident. It was a difficult investigation that faced its hurdles."

Lehutsky says O'Halloran wasn't charged right after the crash because State Police didn't have any indication he was drinking.

Only after a civil case, did investigators find out his blood alcohol content was .167, twice the legal limit. “They detected no odor of alcohol on the defendant at the time. They were not alone in that," said Lehutsky.

What compounded the issue, O'Halloran is the step-son of a State Police Sergeant. Many feared a cover-up. “From everything I've seen, there's no indication that Mr. O'Halloran's step-father was involved in this in any way-shape-or-form," added Lehutsky.

When Dean O'Halloran is sentenced in late May, he faces up to a maximum 10 years in prison and fines of $20,000.

Without his plea, O'Halloran would have faced trial on homicide by vehicle charges. If found guilty, he would have faced even more jail time.

State police are doing an independent investigation on the handling of this case. The results have not yet been released.