A Schuylkill County man has been charged with vehicular aggravated assault while driving under the influence following a crash on Interstate 81 earlier this week.
Police say Zachary Shade, 30, of Valley View, was high on meth when he crashed into the back of another vehicle on the interstate and then fled the scene of the crash. The driver of the vehicle sustained a serious injury as he vehicle rolled over and crashed into an embankment.
According to a report filed by State Police-Schuylkill Haven, a Trooper was headed southbound on the interstate in Pine Grove Township when he came upon a crashed vehicle on an embankment.
When the Trooper spoke to the driver of that vehicle, police say he was incoherent at first and had a large, bleeding cut on his forehead. Police also noted blood all over the interior of his vehicle.
The driver was taken to Geisinger-St. Luke’s Hospital near Orwigsburg for treatment of his injuries.
Back at the scene of the crash, police say they eventually found the vehicle that crashed into the victim’s vehicle about a half-mile from the initial impact point. Police were able to determine through a search of that vehicle that it belonged to Shade.
Shade was later found at the Pilot truck stop in Pine Grove Township. Police say Shade was holding a bag at the time he was found. Inside the bag, police say they found meth, a glass pipe that contained drug residue, and a metal spoon that also had drug residue on it.
During their interview with Shade at the truck stop, police say he had scabs on his face and his pupils were abnormally dilated.
Back at the Schuylkill Haven barracks, police say Shade admitted to causing the crash. He said while he was driving south on I-81, he tried lighting a cigarette but it fell to the floor of his vehicle.When he bent over to reach for the cigarette, Shade reportedly told police he jerked his steering wheel and that caused his vehicle to crash into the back of the victim’s vehicle.
Police have charged Shade with DUI vehicular aggravated assault, vehicular aggravated assault, and accidents involving personal injury, all felonies. He’s also been charged with numerous misdemeanor and summary offenses.
Shade was arraigned before District Magistrate Judge James Reiley on May 20. Reiley set bail at $25,000 cash and remanded Shade to Schuylkill County Prison, where he remains this weekend. A preliminary hearing before Judge David Rossi has been scheduled for June 19.
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