A Norristown woman with a lengthy history of DUI arrests and convictions has been arraigned on a variety of charges stemming from a Saint Patrick’s Day vehicle crash on North Wales Road that sent multiple people to the hospital.
Nicole McFarland, 43, was arraigned last week on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, endangering the welfare of children, DUI, accidents involving injury or death while not licensed, and related offenses, stemming from the March 17 crash in Montgomery Township. She’s currently being held on $50,000 cash bail, and court records indicate a probation detainer was also filed against her.
Police said prior to the charges being filed, McFarland had been arrested nine times for DUI — five times within the last 10 years — which ultimately led to four DUI convictions, the most recent of which occurred on July 23, 2020. The newest set of charges represent her 10th arrest for DUI, according to police.
First responders were dispatched to the scene near the Montgomery Mall around 6:30 p.m. for a report of a crash involving a gray 2019 Kia Sorento and a black 2022 Ford Explorer. Arriving personnel located two injured drivers, with the driver of the Kia — identified as a 62-year-old female — trapped inside of her vehicle.
Crews worked to extricate the female, who was eventually freed and transported via ambulance to Grand View Hospital for treatment of leg, back, and facial injuries, police said. Further investigation revealed the woman suffered a fractured left scapula, fractured ribs on her left side, and numerous fractures in her pelvis, requiring extensive physical therapy for the woman to be able to walk again, according to the criminal complaint.
The driver of the Ford — identified as McFarland — sustained a large facial laceration and was also transported via ambulance to Grand View Hospital, according to police. McFarland was described as "combative” on scene, with the criminal complaint stating she had kicked and punched people at the scene.
An occupant in McFarland’s vehicle — identified in the complaint as a juvenile female — complained of pain to her neck, back, and big toe, and was subsequently transported to the hospital, as well.
The investigation into the crash showed that McFarland was traveling northbound on North Wales Road when she crossed into oncoming traffic, then drove over a curb and onto the front lawn of a home, running over shrubbery and trees before turning back across traffic and continuing down the northbound side, police said. As McFarland’s vehicle approached the intersection with the Montgomery Mall entrance, she then struck the Kia head-on as it made a left turn onto southbound North Wales Road, according to charging documents.
A download of the vehicle’s electronic control unit showed McFarland was traveling at 54.9 miles-per-hour at the time of the crash, police said, adding that McFarland was accelerating at the time of the crash.
The posted speed limit on that portion of North Wales Road is 35 miles-per-hour, police said.
The juvenile inside of McFarland’s vehicle later told police McFarland had become "loopy” while driving, and the results of the blood-chemical testing showed McFarland had tested positive for marijuana, cocaine, oxycodone, and phencyclidine (PCP) at the time of the crash, according to charging documents.
Charges were initially filed against McFarland on March 31, and an arrest warrant was subsequently issued. In an unusual circumstance, representatives from a legal firm attempted to enter their appearance for arraignment on behalf of McFarland, whom they said was receiving inpatient treatment. Court representative stated that an entrance of appearance was insufficient for a preliminary arraignment, however, and the arrest warrant remained active until McFarland had a recent encounter with police in East Norriton Township, at which point she was taken into custody on the warrant, according to Montgomery Township Police Chief Scott Bendig.
Court records show McFarland is being represented by Jeffrey Allen Sigman, Esq., of the Rovner Allen Rovnerfirm in Feasterville-Trevose.
See also:
Photos: Two Hospitalized Following Friday Crash on North Wales Road in Montgomery Township
