BY STACI WILSON

Police say the 19-year-old driver in a fatal Aug. 23 crash in Lenox Twp. was driving under the influence at the time.

Derreck Anderson, of Hop Bottom, now faces a charge of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence; as well as a count of involuntary manslaughter; driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and other counts related to the crash on SR 374. Charges were filed on Sept. 25 by Tpr. Vito Cusumano.

According to lab test results, Anderson’s BAC was .09% at the time of the crash, over the legal .02% for a minor; and he also THC in his system, according to police.

The crash claimed the life of Shannon Schuler, 22, of Nicholson.

Police reported that neither Anderson nor Schuler were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Anderson failed to negotiate a curve and the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta he was driving left the roadway. The car spun in the grass then vaulted off a bank, going airborne. While in the air, the driver’s side of the vehicle struck a tree. The car then rolled onto its roof in a drainage ditch.

At the area of the crash, the speed limit is 40 mph, according to the affidavit, with a 30 mph speed advisory for the curve. Based on an accident reconstruction, police determined Anderson was traveling at a rate of speed that was not prudent to negotiate the curve.

Anderson was able to exit the car and walked to a neighboring residence. He was transported to Geisinger CMC, Scranton for treatment of his injuries.

Schuler was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy was performed Aug. 24. It was determined she died of multiple traumatic injuries as a result of the collision.

According to the affidavit, a member of the ambulance service on the scene told police Anderson admitted during his transport to the hospital that he had been drinking.

Another member of the ambulance service told police Anderson admitted to drinking four or five Twisted Teas, a malt beverage, prior to the crash.

At the hospital, Anderson declined to speak with police after he was given a Miranda warning.

Police also interviewed the neighbor whose home Anderson went to following the crash.

According to the affidavit, the neighbor told police Anderson appeared confused when answering his questions that night.

The neighbor went to the scene and observed the car on its roof, with a white female inside the vehicle. He told police she was not moving; he then called 911.

Bail for Anderson was set at $100,000, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 25.