Man charged with DUI following motorcycle crash on Mars-Evans City Road
ADAMS TWP — A Forward Township man is accused of driving under the influence in a crash Wednesday, Aug. 30, on Mars-Evans City Road that sent a motorcyclist and his passenger to the hospital.
David E. Hertzog, 67, was charged Thursday with two counts each of felonies aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and accidents involving personal injury; misdemeanors DUI and accidents involving property damage; and summaries careless driving, failure to stop at a stop sign and operating a vehicle without proper insurance.
Hertzog was placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.
The crash between a pickup truck and a motorcycle at the intersection of Mars-Evans City and Marburger roads in Adams Township was reported around 8:20 p.m. to police.
Hertzog, who was driving a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado, did not come to a complete stop when he approached Mars-Evans City Road from Kline Avenue, driving across the road and hitting a motorcycle and its two riders, according to charging documents.
Police said the motorcycle had the right of way.
Witnesses told police that following the crash, Hertzog sped up Marburger Road in an attempt to leave the scene.
Tim Ryan, who came upon the crash shortly after it occurred, said he saw two people lying in the road.
“I saw the bike laying in the road … I didn’t see another vehicle … I saw a guy on the ground. He wasn’t moving,” he said. “There were a few of us there. We didn’t know how to help.”
The two people were in critical condition and immediately rushed to a hospital, according to charging documents.
Ryan said another witness reported seeing Hertzog’s pickup truck leave the scene, and Ryan went after it.
“I ran up the hill to get the license place and didn’t see anybody around (the truck),” he said. “I kind of called out for him, and the driver came out of the darkness with blood all over his face. … I don’t think he knew exactly what happened.”
Ryan said he thought the front axle on Hertzog’s truck was broken. He said he was able to keep Hertzog there until police arrived.
Police said when they approached Hertzog, he reported that he was returning from Giant Eagle in Seven Fields, but there were no groceries in his vehicle.
According to documents, field sobriety tests showed Hertzog was impaired, and that a later breath test showed his blood alcohol content at 0.176%. In Pennsylvania, the legal limit is 0.08%.
Police said Hertzog also was unable to provide current insurance information.
Ryan said the crash had an effect on him, as his aunt and uncle died after being hit by a drunken driver while on their motorcycle.
“Having that personal experience, it hits close to home,” he said.
Crews closed the road between 1424 Mars-Evans City Road and its intersection with Lynwood Drive until 1:18 a.m. Thursday, according to a Facebook post from Callery Volunteer Fire Company.
Adams Township Police, Mars Borough Police, Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Department, Adams Area Fire District, Callery Volunteer Fire Company and Quality EMS were among the departments to respond to the scene.
