LEWIS RUN — An East Smethport man is facing charges including felony child endangerment after allegedly driving DUI with two children in the vehicle.
Jason Carter, 46, of East Smethport, was arraigned Saturday night before District Judge David Engman and committed to McKean County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
According to Lewis Run-based state police, at 6:38 p.m. Saturday, Carter was operating a sport utility vehicle on Route 770 in Bradford Township. He approached the scene of a previous motor vehicle accident on Route 646 near Route 770 in Keating Township, where state troopers were on scene dealing with the crash.
While troopers were on scene at the crash, they received a report of an erratic driver — Carter — who was approaching the emergency scene, police reported.
Troopers made contact with Carter and determined that he was driving under the influence with two children — a 4-year-old girl and a 10-year-old girl — in the SUV, according to police.
Police did not say whether they believe that Carter was under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both. However, one of the summary charges filed against Carter is restrictions on alcohol beverages.
Carter was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center for a blood draw, according to police.
He is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of children, a third-degree felony and a first-degree misdemeanor; DUI-general impairment, a first-degree misdemeanor; and summary charges of obedience to authorized person directing traffic, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, careless driving and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.
A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 18.
