City man charged with DUI for January crash
Police: Walter under the influence of drugs when he wrecked
An Altoona man who crashed on Plank Road near The Meadows intersection last month, knocking power lines onto two other vehicles, now faces DUI and other charges.
Alex J. Walter, 26, of 5902 Maryland Ave., was charged Wednesday with DUI while on drugs as well as two counts of recklessly endangering another person.
Allegheny Township police allege Walter passed out while driving past the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home as he was headed south on Plank Road at 11:40 a.m. Jan. 27.
Police allege methadone and lorazepam, which is sold under the brand name Ativan, was found in Walter’s system after he was taken to UPMC Altoona for treatment of his injuries from the crash.
According to police, Walter’s 2008 Pontiac G6 traveled across the turning lane and two opposing lanes of traffic before it crossed the fog line and struck the curb. From there, the Pontiac left the road and ultimately hit an embankment almost 200 feet later.
After the car hit the embankment, it flipped and rolled and broke guide wires for a utility police, causing it to snap in half.
The snapped pole dropped power lines onto two vehicles. Robert Huss, who spoke to the Mirror after the crash, was stopped at the red light on Plank Road for North Juniata Street and Municipal Drive when the wires came down on his 2005 Chrysler. Huss escaped, and his vehicle was destroyed by the ensuing fire caused by the downed lines.
Another driver, William Bell, was in a rented vehicle that was struck and damaged by the downed electrical lines.
Allegheny Township police Officer Henry T. Fownes noted in the charges that Walter was not wearing his seat belt and was in severe pain when he was found “positioned awkwardly” in the passenger side of his car after the crash.
Walter told police he had no memory of the crash or anything leading up to it. Police said Walter said he had no medical conditions that would cause him to pass out.
The crash cut off power to 265 customers for several hours and closed off the intersection for about 12 hours.
Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458.
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