Barnesville man flees crash scene, arrested for DUI and hit-and-run
BARNESVILLE – A man from this Ryan Township village is facing DUI and hit-and-run charges after state police say he fled a crash scene on Route 54 yesterday.
Troopers said the crash happened around 5:15pm yesterday on Barnesville Drive near Williams Street.
John J. Jeffries, 61, of Barnesville, was headed east on Route 54 in a 2011 Toyota Rav4 as Joel Rivera, 30, of Summit Hill was headed west in a 2018 Honda Odyssey.
Troopers said Jeffries crossed into the oncoming lane, forcing Rivera to move onto the shoulder and slow down to avoid being hit. Jeffries’ vehicle struck the mirror of Rivera’s vehicle, they said.
Jeffries, troopers added, stopped for a moment before fleeing. Rivera turned around and gave chase as Jeffries drove to his home on Hotel Lane.
There, troopers responded and arrested Jeffries under suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run.
All occupants — Jeffries in his vehicle and Rivera, Kiersten Matika-Rivera, 29, of Summit Hill, and an infant in their vehicle — were seatbelted and uninjured.
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