A Philadelphia man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a three-vehicle crash that occurred in Montgomery Township last December.
As part of a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors, 48-year-old Isaac Whaley III has been sentenced to 16-months-to-5-years in prison, followed by seven years of probation, after pleading guilty to charges of DUI, DUI – habitual offenders, and receiving stolen property.
For Whaley, it’s the eighth time that he has been found guilty of DUI.
In addition to the prison sentence and probation, Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Richard Haaz mandated that Whaley pay a $1,500 fine, as well as restitution to the victims of the accident. Judge Haaz also added a recommendation to the parole board requesting that the board refrain from granting Whaley early release.
The charges stem from a three-vehicle accident that occurred in the area of Bethlehem Pike and Hartman Road on Dec. 15 at 7:15 p.m. Once on scene, police were informed that the driver of the striking vehicle—identified as Whaley—had left his vehicle and fled the scene on foot northbound on Hartman Road. Police then utilized a K-9 unit from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department to track down the suspect, who was found lying prone in mud and high weeds outside of a nearby quarry.
The report indicates that police immediately noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Whaley’s breath, adding that he had glassy eyes, slurred speech and little balance. The criminal complaint also states that Whaley failed a field sobriety test, and had a blood alcohol content of .194, which is more than double the legal limit. When asked to consent to a blood sample, Whaley—who was on state parole for a prior DUI conviction—reportedly said "I’m not going to give blood. I’m going to jail anyway,” the report states.
Once in custody, Whaley reportedly informed police that he had borrowed his brother’s car to meet someone in the area. "He let me hold it, and I just f**ked it up,” said Whaley, according to the criminal complaint. A detainer for Whaley was also filed by his parole officer at that time, and a records search indicated that Whaley was not eligible to drive until Feb. 11, 2035.
An opened bottle of apple brandy was also found in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Charges of accidents involving damage to attended vehicles, restrictions on alcoholic beverages and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle were dropped as part of the agreement.
See also:
MTPD: Man Causes Three-Vehicle Accident, Arrested For Eighth DUI
Men Who Robbed Hatfield Home Twice in Same Night Sentenced to Prison
Perkasie Woman Pleads Guilty To Homicide By Vehicle While DUI In Hilltown Crash
Accused Child Predator Strikes Deal, Pleads Guilty To Corruption Of Minor Charge
Attempted Homicide, Aggravated Assault Charges Dropped Against Towamencin Man
