The following DUI charges were filed in District Courts across Schuylkill County in the last two weeks:
DUI and Child Endangerment
Kelly Grecula, 39, of Ringtown, faces child endangerment and driving under the influence charges after police say she drove intoxicated with an 8-month-old child in her vehicle, drove up an embankment, and recorded a 0.295% BAC.
Police say they located Grecula’s vehicle on April 21 after she initiated a welfare check on her husband. Witnesses told police her vehicle had crossed into oncoming traffic and driven up an embankment. When approached, officers noted a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and dilated pupils. Grecula became irate, telling police they had “no business asking,” and refused field sobriety tests. Police say that while waiting for the child’s father, Grecula kicked the inside of the patrol car and refused commands to stop. At the hospital, she initially refused a blood draw but later told officers she would take the test to “prove she had a miscarriage.” She is charged with first-degree misdemeanors for DUI and endangering the welfare of children, among other offenses.
Hit-and-Run and Attempted Altercation
Tyler Paniagua, 26, of Shenandoah, is charged with two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence and hit-and-run offenses after police say he attempted to fight bystanders, backed into a parked vehicle, and recorded a 0.281% BAC on May 22.
Witnesses told police Paniagua appeared highly intoxicated when he approached people unloading a moving truck, exited his vehicle, and attempted to start a physical altercation. A witness said Paniagua then reversed his Dodge Charger into a parked Jeep and fled the scene. Police later located Paniagua, noting he smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech. He admitted to the altercation and the crash but claimed to police he began drinking only after returning to his residence. Police say he failed standardized field sobriety tests.
Texting While Driving and High BAC
Brandon Pogash, 39, of Ashland, faces driving under the influence charges after recording a 0.338% BAC on May 6, according to police.
Officers say they initiated a traffic stop after observing Pogash failing to maintain his lane and stopping partially in the roadway. Upon being stopped, Pogash stumbled out of his truck and fell back into the doorway, police say. He admitted to officers that he was texting while driving. When asked about his alcohol consumption, he initially replied “a lot,” before listing only non-alcoholic beverages to police. Pogash interrupted officers during the explanation of field sobriety tests, telling them he could not perform the tests because he takes medications for blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. He is charged with two misdemeanor DUI counts and prohibiting text-based communications, among summary offenses.
Multiple DUI Counts and Suspected THC
Justin Burke, 34, of Orwigsburg, faces five misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence after police say a Feb. 9 traffic stop revealed a 0.192% BAC and the presence of THC in his system.
Police say they stopped Burke’s truck after observing it swerve repeatedly into oncoming traffic. When asked by officers how much he had consumed, Burke replied “quite a bit” and “probably six,” adding that he drank Busch Lights “during the Super Bowl about an hour ago.” He refused field sobriety testing, telling officers, “Uh, no, definitely not,” and “No no no. I mean ill pass, but no sir.”
Crash Into Parked Vehicle
Jacey Ryba, 21, of McAdoo, is charged with two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence after police say she crashed into a parked vehicle on May 10 and recorded a 0.249% BAC.
Ryba told police she struck the parked car while talking on her phone. Officers noted she had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and smelled of alcohol. When asked how much she had consumed, Ryba told police, “I drank a little bit, but I’m not drunk.” Police say they did not conduct field sobriety testing due to her physical condition and for her safety.
Driving Into Oncoming Traffic
Richard Rodriguez, 55, of New Philadelphia, faces driving under the influence charges after police say he recorded a 0.294% BAC during a May 9 traffic stop.
Officers say they stopped Rodriguez after observing his vehicle turn without signaling and drive into oncoming traffic. When asked for his license and registration, Rodriguez told police, “Yeah I don’t have it right now,” and “mumbled about a phone.” Police noted slurred speech and an odor of alcohol. When asked how much he had to drink, he replied to officers, “Not that much.” Police say field testing was not conducted due to his physical condition.
Driving Without Headlights
Tanya Adam, 50, of New Ringgold, faces two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence after police say she drove without headlights, handed an officer a bank card instead of her driver’s license, and recorded a 0.201% BAC.
Police say they initiated a traffic stop on May 16 after observing Adam driving over the center line. She admitted to officers that she consumed four or five drinks. Police say she failed standardized field sobriety testing in a nearby parking lot.
Driving Without License or Rear Lights
Alex Martin, 26, of Shenandoah, is charged with driving under the influence and driving without a license following a May 9 traffic stop where police say he admitted to drinking eight beers.
Police say they stopped Martin’s vehicle for driving without illuminated rear lights. Upon smelling alcohol, officers asked Martin about his consumption, prompting him to immediately begin apologizing. Police say Martin failed field sobriety testing. While being transported, he told police he drank approximately eight Michelob Ultra beers with friends and acknowledged consuming too much alcohol. Police say they secured his blood sample for laboratory analysis.
Swerving Across Road Lines
Brett Bitsko, 42, of Tamaqua, faces two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence after police say he recorded a 0.208% BAC on May 22.
Officers say they stopped Bitsko after watching his vehicle repeatedly cross road lines. When asked about his alcohol consumption, Bitsko repeatedly told officers, “I’m alright sir.” Police say he initially resisted exiting his vehicle but eventually complied, displaying clues of impairment during field testing. He declined a preliminary breath test but consented to a blood draw.
Incomplete Field Sobriety Tests
Stephanie Kiluk, 36, of Dallas, faces two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence after police say she recorded a 0.280% BAC on May 11.
Officers say they stopped Kiluk after her vehicle crossed the center line multiple times. When asked about her consumption, Kiluk told police, “just one beer.” Police say that during field sobriety testing, Kiluk did not complete the walk-and-turn test as instructed and stopped the one-leg stand test shortly after it began, telling officers, “it’s not gonna happen.”
Vehicle Blocking One-Way Street
Rebecca Dietrich, 41, of Allentown, faces a driving under the influence charge after police say they found her vehicle parked sideways and blocking a one-way street on June 3.
Witnesses told police Dietrich’s vehicle had been swerving before coming to a stop in the one-way. One witness stated Dietrich appeared “out of it” and retrieved the keys from her vehicle, while another told police she was “nodding out” and falling asleep. Police say Dietrich, 41, of Allentown, smelled of alcohol, had glossy eyes, and failed to follow instructions during field sobriety testing. Officers reported finding open and empty alcohol containers in her vehicle. Police say her blood was secured for laboratory analysis.
🛑 Struggling with Alcohol or Drugs?
Resources and treatment funding are available for Schuylkill County residents, even if you are uninsured.
- 🚨 24/7 Emergency/Crisis Line: Call 1-877-993-4357 (Get help or secure funding after-hours, on weekends, or holidays).
- 📞 Main Office (Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM): Call (570) 621-2890 to learn about outpatient, detox, rehabilitation, and halfway house funding.
- 📍 Location: Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol Program, 410 N. Centre St. Suite 2, Pottsville, PA 17901.
- ⚖️ Probation Program (SCRPP): For diversion treatment inquiries, contact Adult Probation at (570) 628-1288.
Note: Pregnant substance users and injection drug users receive top priority for immediate treatment admission.
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