Motorcyclist charged with assault in crash/PA

[PeteSC]

Motorcyclist charged with assault in crash
By Amy A. Thompson, Clarion News writer





CLARION -- Shane A. McHenry, 32, Shippenville, has been formally charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol, a second-degree felony, after he and a friend were involved in a motorcycle crash July 20 along U.S. Route 322 near the Clarion YMCA.



McHenry also is charged with two counts of unclassified misdemeanor DUI, and summary counts of driving on roadways laned for traffic, registration and certificate of title required, driving vehicle at a safe speed, careless driving and reckless driving.

According to court documents, state police Tpr. Ronald Calderone was dispatched to a motorcycle collision where Clarion Borough Police Officer Shawn Zerfoss was the witness.

Zerfoss alleged he saw the incident because his residence overlooks U.S. Route 322. Zerfoss told state police he heard the motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed and when he looked down he saw the motorcycle flipping and rolling.

Zerfoss allegedly called 9-1-1 as the incident was occurring.

Zerfoss allegedly went to the scene of the crash where he saw Tanner Stark, passenger, and McHenry. Zerfoss went to help McHenry, whose breath allegedly smelled of alcohol.

State police Tpr. Kyle Freeman searched for Stark’s right leg and found it 279 feet west across U.S. Route 322 and 5 feet south of U.S. Route 322. The motorcycle was found 111 feet west of where McHenry and Stark came to rest.

McHenry allegedly failed to negotiate a left turn in the roadway. McHenry allegedly came into contact with the road making a gouge mark as well as a skid mark before leaving the roadway and impacting a utility pole 8 feet north of U.S. Route 322.

The impact from the utility pole severed Stark’s right leg.

A full container of beer was found in a motorcycle saddle bag.

Clarion Fire and Hose Co. No. 1 Chief Clay Williams allegedly told police McHenry’s breath smelled of alcohol and he believed they were drinking.

A Presbyterian Hospital blood test established McHenry’s blood alcohol content to be .1 percent.

[dsartwell1]

Unfortunately, drinking and driving/riding is somewhat of a sport in rural PA. The police coverage away from the cities is pretty thin. I have literally gone for days without seeing a cop. Its great for taking the Bandit for a spirited rip but the number of drunk/careless drivers is very high. Also, there are alot of people who have no license, registration, or insurance, and drive around for YEARS without being caught. My insurance agent pointed to these facts as a reason for higher rates in an area that should be pretty low.