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Evans City man gets prison time

An Evans City man who ran over a woman he'd allegedly stolen drugs from was sentenced Wednesday.

Damian Yandura, 19, was sentenced to serve 16 to 32 months in prison, followed by a year of probation.

The charges stem from a Feb. 16 incident that left 18-year-old Melissa Taylor of Jackson Township hospitalized.

According to court records, Yandura and Morgan Leon, 19, of Cranberry Township drove to Taylor's home on Lindsay Road to buy heroin. But Yandura and his co-defendant allegedly drove away without paying for the drugs.

Taylor tried to stop the pair's escape, but was run over when Yandura failed to yield.

Police said the pair then fled, leaving Taylor severely injured.

Initially, Yandura faced more than 20 charges. But as part of a plea arrangement with the Butler County District Attorney's office, Yandura pleaded guilty to aggravated assault by a vehicle while driving under the influence of a controlled substance, accidents involving death or personal injury, reckless endangerment, theft by unlawful taking and driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

Yandura was sentenced by Judge Timothy McCune, who also ordered the defendant to pay $1,300 in fines and log in 60 hours of community service.

Yandura received credit for 310 days he already spent in prison on this case.

Meantime, charges still are pending against Leon.

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