(WKYT) – The Lancaster chief of police was cited last Friday for allegedly driving under the influence after a crash in Somerset, according to a report by the Commonwealth Journal.
Somerset police were dispatched to North Highway 27 and Cooperative Way for a report of a single-vehicle accident around 9:09 p.m. that resulted in the vehicle being on fire, according to a police citation.
The person who called 911 said that they had to help 41-year-old Ryan Hughes of Waynesburg out of the vehicle and that he appeared to be under the influence and strongly smelled of alcohol.
The responding officer said in the citation that after speaking with Hughes at the scene, he could smell alcohol on his breath, that his eyes were glossy and bloodshot, and that his speech was slurred.
Hughes allegedly said he had a few drinks about an hour before he drove.
The crash reportedly caused $500 worth of damage to the right-of-way fence near the highway.
After Hughes was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries, asked to speak to an attorney and refused to take a blood test.
He did consent after law enforcement applied and received a search warrant.
The Commonwealth Journal reported that the results of the blood test are pending.
According to the citation, the decision was made to cite Hughes instead of arresting him because it would have prolonged his need for medical care.
Hughes is charged with a count of driving under the influence and a count of first-degree criminal mischief.
He will be arraigned on August 10.