Michael C. Kelchner is headed to prison after admitting Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that he caused an accident in March 2012 in East Union Township in which he and two other people suffered injuries.
Kelchner, 28, of Fern Glen, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, with prosecutors withdrawing summary charges of operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed, careless driving and seat belt violation.
President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted Kelchner's plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to serve eight to 23 months in prison, pay costs, a $1,000 fine, $300 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $4,094.30 restitution, perform 30 hours community service and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Baldwin made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. March 27.
Kelchner said little during Wednesday's hearing except to indicate that he understood the terms of his plea and was making it knowingly and voluntarily.
State police at Frackville filed the charges against Kelchner as the result of a two-vehicle accident on March 2, 2012, on Route 924 about a mile north of Sheppton.
Police said Kelchner was driving his 2000 Pontiac north on Route 924 at 6:43 p.m. when his car crossed the center line, entered the southbound lane and crashed head-on into a 2007 Chevrolet being driven by William Michael, 58, of Sheppton.
Police said Kelchner, Michael and a passenger in Kelchner's car, Bree Cote, 38, of Harveys Lake, suffered injuries in the accident and had to be taken to hospitals for treatment.
Both vehicles were destroyed in the accident and had to be towed from the scene, according to police.Defendant: Michael C. Kelchner
Age: 28
Residence: Fern Glen
Crimes committed: Driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI
Prison sentence: eight to 23 months