SMETHPORT — President Judge John Pavlock has rejected a plea agreement for a Bradford man accused of running over a woman with his pick-up truck, then fleeing the scene.
Jonathon L. Yeager, 32, was scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday in McKean County Court to allegations that on May 6, he struck a woman with his truck and ran over her, causing serious injuries including a fractured vertebra. After he allegedly ran over her, Yeager, who did not have a driver’s license, left the scene.
Yeager pleaded guilty Aug. 16 to charges including aggravated assault by vehicle and accidents involving death/injury while not properly licensed.
On Thursday, Assistant District Attorney Ashley Shade told Pavlock that the victim had a different position on the plea agreement than when it was first written.
The victim, who attended the sentencing hearing to tell Pavlock her feelings, used a walker to get around.
She said, “that when Mr. Yeager ran me over and left me lying in the street, I was trying to do a friend a favor. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.”
Court records filed at the time he was first charged indicated that he Yeager had been talking to the victim in the Hotel Holley in Bradford, and he hit her when she was trying to stop him from leaving in his truck. He allegedly ran over her while pulling onto Davis Street from the establishment’s parking lot.
The victim told the judge that she not only suffered from broken bones, but she has permanent nerve damage. “Mr. Yeager is still out drinking and driving. He hasn’t changed at all, and it’s changed my life forever.”
Pavlock suggested to her that she wanted him to reject the plea agreement.
“Yes, your honor,” she replied.
She also asked that Pavlock revoke Yeager’s bond — he’s currently free after posting 2 percent of $60,000 bail — but Pavlock indicated he was unable to do that on Thursday.
Yeager’s attorney, Philip Clabaugh, asked that Pavlock not consider the victim’s statements regarding alcohol use when making his decision on what to do, as Yeager is not facing any alcohol-related charges in the case.
When Yeager was given the floor to speak on his own behalf, he said, “I would like to apologize to the victim. I screwed up, and I shouldn’t have been driving.”
Pavlock rejected the plea agreement and indicated Yeager would now decide whether to have the case listed for trial or try to negotiate a new plea agreement. A new last day to plea conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8.
