A high school swim coach is facing serious charges following an incident near a state college, according to local sources. Pennsylvania authorities have charged the man with drunk driving after he was apprehended for a traffic violation while driving a school vehicle. While no students were involved in the incident, authorities are taking his alleged actions very seriously, and he is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 25.
According to police records, the 38-year-old man was pulled over after he was witnessed trying to enter a parking garage in the wrong direction. Officers on the scene subjected the man to a Breathalyzer test, which reportedly returned a blood alcohol level of 0.225, almost three times the legal limit of 0.08 in the state. The man was taken to a local hospital, as this blood alcohol level is considered toxic. The blood test conducted at the hospital revealed an even higher BAC of 0.271.
The man was not driving students at the time of his arrest, but he still faces drunk driving charges. If he is found guilty, he could see his status as a swim coach revoked, along with his license. He may even face fines and jail time.
Drunk driving is doubtless a serious crime, but the specifics of the case must be taken into consideration. When the man faces his charges in a Pennsylvania court, his defense team may choose to frame his case as one of a man suffering from the disease of alcohol addiction. If he agrees to court-mandated rehabilitation, it is possible his sentence could be reduced.
Source: usatodayhss.com, “Pa. swim coach tried to drive students while under influence“, Cam Smith, March 28, 2018