The man behind the wheel of a dump truck that overturned in June on the ramp that connects Route 1 to I-95 is facing DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, prohibition of text-based communications and several other charges.
Christopher Schearer, 25, of Eddystone, is alleged to have been texting while under the influence of drugs leading up to a crash that left his passenger with concussion symptoms for weeks after the June 21 crash.
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The passenger in the truck said that Schearer was texting on his cell phone when he told Schearer he needed to go from the left lane of northbound Route 1 to the right lane to get onto the ramp that leads to I-95. The 25-year-old swerved to get on the ramp and the truck overturned, court documents say.
Schearer, according to an affidavit of probable cause, told a trooper a much different story. He said he was distracted and trying to grab something that fell onto the floor of the dump truck when the curve came up. He tried to negotiate it and lost control, police said.
According to authorities, Schearer said that he had no drank alcohol or had taken any medication or drugs before the crash.
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Court papers show that blood test results on Schearer tested positive for morphine.
According to state police, a drawstring bag was found next to the truck, which was owned by a landscaping company. Inside, troopers said they found personal items and a hypodermic needle. Schearer later admitted the bag was his.
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PennDOT said at the time the ramp was closed for more than an hour following the late morning accident.
Schearer was arraigned late last week before District Judge John Kelly and sent to county 10 percent of $20,000.
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