People charged with DUI
The following people were recently charged with driving while under the influence in Bradford County:
James John Sonnema, 66, of Coryland Road, Gillett, by Pennsylvania State Police following a one-vehicle crash at approximately 1:04 p.m. May 6 on Coryland Road, approximately one half-mile north of Garrison Road, in Wells Township.
Sonnema was also charged with a violation of "driving on roadways laned for traffic" and careless driving, according to court papers filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox of Troy.
State police at Towanda said Sonnema lost control of his 2003 Ford Escape, which exited the west shoulder of the roadway, sideswiped a tree with its passenger side, and sustained minor passenger side damage. After the impact with the tree, the vehicle became hung up on the side of an embankment, which required it to be pulled out by a rollback. Police said Sonnema displayed signs of intoxication during the course of the investigation, and was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. He was transported to Troy Community Hospital for a legal blood draw.
Sonnema faces a preliminary hearing at 3:30 p.m. July 16 before Wilcox.
George S. Dickson, 42, of Summit Lane, Grover, by Canton police following a traffic stop at 1:45 a.m. May 9 on Lycoming Street in Canton.
Dickson was also charged with careless driving and reckless driving, according to court papers filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox of Troy. Canton Police Officer Trey Kurtz said Dickson didn't slow down and waited until he was within feet of a woman, who was standing in the roadway, to "slam his brakes on." Dickson's blood-alcohol content was .112 percent at the time of his arrest, according to an affidavit.
Dickson faces a preliminary hearing at 1:45 p.m. July 2 before Wilcox.
Connie Jean Delrie, 51, of Brague Road, Canton, by Canton police following a traffic stop at 11:39 p.m. on May 3 on South Minnequa Avenue in Canton.
Delrie was also charged with careless driving, a violation of "driving on roadways laned for traffic," and reckless driving, according to court papers filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox of Troy.
Canton Police Officer Trey Kurtz said Delrie made a left turn out of the Moose parking lot, right in front of him, almost striking the front bumper of his patrol vehicle, and he immediately turned around and pursued her. He saw her stop in the middle of the roadway, drive maybe 20-30 yards and stop again. She did this two or three times and continued driving north on Route 154, he said. Kurtz saw her vehicle drift off the right side of the roadway into a ditch, and back onto the roadway. He activated his lights and siren, and she slammed her brakes and came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the roadway, on the double yellow lines. Upon approaching the vehicle, Kurtz detected a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from Delrie.
Delrie faces a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. July 2 before Wilcox. Her blood-alcohol content was .339 percent, according to an affidavit.
Charles Timothy Makinster, 49, of Berwick Turnpike, Gillett, by Pennsylvania State Police following a crash at 10:30 p.m. May 3 on State Route 4024, approximately one-tenth of a mile west of Ranch Road, in Ridgebury Township.
Trooper Robert Edgerton said he saw Makinster's truck stopped, facing west, with its right side against the north side roadside guardrail. Makinster was found behind the wheel, with the truck running, and was asleep, when contacted. The trooper said he did not detect an odor of alcohol about Makinster, but his eyes were bloodshot and he was speaking slowly and confused. Makinster told police he takes Hydrocodone and Vicadin as a pain reliever. He had four yellow pills that appeared to be a prescription drug.
Makinster was arrested for DUI and transported to Memorial Hospital in Towanda, where a blood sample was drawn from Makinster's left arm. According to an affidavit, a forensic analysis of his blood revealed positive findings for several drugs.
Makinster was also charged with a violation of "driving on roadways laned for traffic," a violation of "driving vehicle at safe speed," and careless driving, according to court papers filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox of Troy. He faces a preliminary hearing at 1:15 p.m. July 9 before Wilcox.