PEQUEA TOWNSHIP, Pa.–A Lancaster man charged in a fatal DUI-related crash last month had a blood-alcohol level that was nearly three times the legal limit.
Benjamin R. Manotti, 38, is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, hit-and-run, DUI, and related counts. He was arraigned Friday and taken to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.
The crash happened along the 2100 block of Millersville Road in Pequea Township on Jan. 16.
Gregory Pizarro, 33, died as a result of the crash, which police say was caused by Manotti’s Chevy Blazer veering into oncoming traffic and striking Pizarro’s Ford Taurus head-on.
Testing after the crash showed Manotti’s blood-alcohol level was .239 percent, about three times the Pennsylvania limit (.08 percent) for drivers.
Investigators say this is Manotti’s third DUI charge since 2005. At the time of the crash, he was driving without a license, which has been suspended since a 2007 DUI conviction.
Manotti initially told police the other vehicle swerved into the path of his SUV. However, witnesses to the crash told police it was Manotti’s SUV that veered into opposing traffic. One witness told police the Taurus – which Pizarro was driving – had no time to react or avoid the impact.
First-responders noticed an obvious odor of alcohol while treating Manotti, authorities said.
The police investigation of the crash showed Manotti failed to negotiate a left curve while driving west on Millersville Road (route 741). Marks on the road showed impact happened in the eastbound lane (Pizarro’s lane of travel).
Manotti had been recovering in a local hospital from injuries sustained in the crash. He was discharged Friday morning and taken into custody.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 3.
