By RODNEY L. SHERMAN
Clarion News editor
A 61-year-old Rimersburg man is facing numerous charges following a Feb. 17 two-vehicle crash that left three people injured.
Dennis Scott Horner is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol, a second-degree felony; being the driver in a crash involving death or serious injury while not properly licensed to drive, a third-degree felony; being a habitual offender, a second-degree misdemeanor; DUI, a misdemeanor; and 21 summary traffic law violations of varying description at a 7:18 p.m. Feb. 17 along State Route 68 just south of Curllsville Road in Toby Township.
According to court documents filed by state police Tpr. Aaron Shapiro Horner, operating a northbound 2001 Dodge Caravan, allegedly crossed the center line and struck head-on a southbound 2001 Chevrolet Blazer operated by a 50-year-old Callensburg man.
Horner’s vehicle came to rest on the western berm. The other vehicle spun 90 degrees and overturned.
Neither driver was wearing seat belt and both men suffered suspected serious injuries. The airbags in the vehicles deployed. A passenger in the Horner vehicle, Brandi M. Ziegler, 33, Sligo, suffered suspected minor injuries.
Shapiro allegedly observed multiple empty alcohol containers in Horner’s vehicle.
Shapiro interviewed Horner at the hospital. Shapiro allegedly detected an odor of alcohol on Horner’s breath. Horner allegedly had glassy and bloodshot eyes and told Shapiro he did not know how the crash occurred.
The driver of the other vehicle sustained a broken leg which required multiple surgeries to repair, and head injuries.
According to on-line records, Horner was convicted of or pleaded guilty to DUI charges in 1997, 2011 and twice in 2013.