Bear Creek Twp. man charged with fleeing serious wreck [The Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.]

Mar. 29—A Bear Creek Twp. man is jailed without bail on charges alleging he rear-ended another driver, breaking numerous bones, and then fled the scene during an alcohol-fueled encounter near Giant's Despair earlier this year.

Terry L. Schatzel Jr., 28, of 27 Settlement Road, is facing felony charges alleging he fled the scene of the crash that left the other driver with a broken collarbone and ribs.

According to the complaint, Schatzel was speeding and drinking alcohol prior to the crash that took place in the area of 3394 Laurel Run Road around 7 p.m. Jan. 26.

As the victim, Laurel Run resident Lynnann Corcoran, went to turn into her driveway, Schatzel's Chevrolet Cavalier plowed into the rear of Corcoran's Hyundai Elantra, police said.

Schatzel and his passenger, Plymouth resident Michael Booth, 27, then jumped out of the car and ran from the scene, according to the complaint.

Booth, however, returned to the scene prior to police arriving and identified Schatzel as the driver, police said.

Investigators searched the area for Schatzel but were unable to locate him.

Corcoran had to be extricated from her car and was rushed to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Twp., where she was treated for a collarbone injury with five breaks along with five broken ribs, police said.

When investigators initially reached Schatzel by phone, he denied driving the car and said he had been drinking throughout the day with a friend. Police say Schatzel claimed the friend, whose full name he could not provide, had been driving at the time of the crash, according to the complaint.

However, police say the details Schatzel provided were consistent with him having been the driver and that Corcoran's husband, who witnessed the aftermath of the crash, identified Booth as the passenger.

Last week, state police arrested Schatzel on driving under the influence and reckless driving charges following when troopers characterized as a "fleeing incident" in Bear Creek Twp.

After being booked into the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on $1,000 bail, Schatzel gave a second interview in which he admitted being the driver, saying he hadn't seen a turn signal and was unable to avoid the collision, according to the complaint.

He also said he didn't intentionally leave an injured victim on the side of the road, police said.

Investigators charged Schatzel, did not have a driver's license or insurance at the time of the crash, with two felony counts of fleeing the scene of an accident and numerous traffic offenses.

Magisterial District Judge Donald L. Whittaker arraigned Schatzel on the charges Wednesday morning and denied bail, deeming him a flight risk.

Schatzel was being held at the county jail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 6.

Contact the writer:

jhalpin@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2058

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