ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA — A commercial truck driver faces 22 charges after his Freightliner slammed into five motorcycles and four station wagons stopped at a red light on West 12th Street in Erie on July 23, injuring ten people — then stumbled out of the cab carrying a case of Bud Light and fled on foot before witnesses chased him down behind a nearby U-Haul.
Irabaruta Ezechiel, 40, was denied bail and taken to Erie County Prison following his July 24 arrest. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 7.
What Happened
Around 9:25 p.m., Ezechiel was driving east on West 12th Street when his 2022 Freightliner struck vehicles stopped at a steady red light at Myrtle Street. According to the criminal complaint, the truck struck the station wagons first before hitting the motorcycles. Police allege Ezechiel was traveling recklessly and at an unsafe speed.
After the crash, witnesses say Ezechiel stumbled out of the cab carrying a case of Bud Light bottles. An open bottle was left in the center cupholder. Witnesses chased and subdued him behind a nearby U-Haul property before police arrived.
Officers noted a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot and watery eyes, and reported Ezechiel moving in and out of consciousness. He was transported to Saint Vincent Hospital, where a charge nurse reported he needed emergency care due to unconsciousness. A nighttime warrant was obtained and two vials of blood were collected for BAC testing. Lab results were pending at the time charges were filed.
The Injuries
Ten people were injured. Eight were taken to UPMC Hamot. Two were suspected of suffering serious injuries. Six others sustained suspected minor injuries. X-rays and CT scans were still pending when the complaint was filed. No fatalities were reported.
The Charges
Ezechiel faces two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle, three DUI counts covering commercial vehicle alcohol use, high-rate alcohol, and general impairment, two counts of accidents involving death or personal injury, nine counts of damage to attended vehicles or property, reckless endangerment, open container, reckless driving, and unsafe speed.
Louis Callahan of the Erie County Public Defender’s Office represents Ezechiel and declined to comment.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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