NY man was high on weed, depressants during
Centre Co. crash that seriously injured 2
WJAC NBC6 / July 5th 2021 / by WJAC Staff
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — State police say a New York man was under the influence of marijuana and depressants when he drove through a stop sign and caused a crash that seriously injured two people in Centre County.
According to a criminal complaint, 25-year-old Steven Valdez-Villalta has been charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Troopers say they were called to the intersection East College Ave. and Cemetery Lane Sunday night in Walker Township.
Troopers say their investigation found that Valdez-Villalta’s vehicle drove through a stop sign, causing an oncoming vehicle to crash into his.
Officials say the driver of the other vehicle was injured as well as a passenger in Valdez-Villalta’s vehicle.
State police say they interviewed Valdez-Villalta who claimed he didn’t see the other vehicle when he tried to cross the intersection.
Troopers say they noticed that Valdez-Villalta had bloodshot eyes, droopy eyelids and appeared to be drowsey.
According to state police, Valdez-Villalta smelled like marijuana and said he smoked marijuana the night before.
Troopers say they found a small amount of marijuana in a bag at the crash scene.
They say a certified drug expert believed Valdez-Villalta was under the influence of central nervous system depressants and marijuana when he crashed his vehicle.
Valdez-Villalta is being lodged in the Centre County Prison after being unable to post bail.
According to a criminal complaint, 25-year-old Steven Valdez-Villalta has been charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Troopers say they were called to the intersection East College Ave. and Cemetery Lane Sunday night in Walker Township.
Troopers say their investigation found that Valdez-Villalta’s vehicle drove through a stop sign, causing an oncoming vehicle to crash into his.
Officials say the driver of the other vehicle was injured as well as a passenger in Valdez-Villalta’s vehicle.
State police say they interviewed Valdez-Villalta who claimed he didn’t see the other vehicle when he tried to cross the intersection.
Troopers say they noticed that Valdez-Villalta had bloodshot eyes, droopy eyelids and appeared to be drowsey.
According to state police, Valdez-Villalta smelled like marijuana and said he smoked marijuana the night before.
Troopers say they found a small amount of marijuana in a bag at the crash scene.
They say a certified drug expert believed Valdez-Villalta was under the influence of central nervous system depressants and marijuana when he crashed his vehicle.
Valdez-Villalta is being lodged in the Centre County Prison after being unable to post bail.