HERSHEY, Pa. — A York County man is being charged in connection to a single-vehicle crash that seriously injured five people in Hershey earlier this year.
Skyler Spangler, 20, of Red Lion, was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, which occurred at 8:39 a.m. on Aug. 21 along Route 422 in Derry Township. The car was traveling west on Rt. 422 and veered off the north side of the road, going down an embankment and striking a large tree head-on, according to Derry Township Police.
Spangler, two other adults and two children were inside the car at the time of the crash. All five occupants sustained serious injuries, according to police.
After an investigation of the crash by Derry Township Police, Spangler was charged with the following offenses:
- 1 misdemeanor count of Endangering the Welfare of Children: It is alleged that Spangler permitted a 14-year-old to sit on the center console between the two front seats without any restraint device.
- 1 misdemeanor count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: It is alleged there was a glass smoking pipe with marijuana residue in Spangler's vehicle.
- 1 summary count of Reckless Driving: It is alleged that Spangler drove his vehicle despite knowing he was fatigued and fell asleep behind the wheel, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway, striking a tree.
- 1 summary count of Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic
- 1 summary count of Purchase, Consumption, Possession or Transportation of Liquor or Malt or Brewed Beverages: It is alleged that Spangler had consumed alcoholic beverage(s) sometime prior to the crash.
- 1 summary count of Restraint Systems - Child Booster Seat: It is alleged that Spangler did not ensure a 4-year-old passenger was in a required booster seat and was only secured by a lap belt in the vehicle.
- 3 summary counts of Restraint Systems - Fail to use safety belt - driver, front seat occupant, and vehicle occupant: It is alleged that Spangler did not ensure that he, the front seat passenger and the 14-year-old in the front center area were properly restrained by seat belts
Derry Township Police said they could not provide additional information regarding the medical conditions of any of the vehicle's occupants.
