Area man headed to jail
A Grindstone man who lost two appeals concerning the constitutionality of the state’s hit-and-run statute was ordered to report to prison Friday to begin serving his sentence in an April 2001 hit-and-run death. David Jason Long was convicted of accidents involving death or serious injury, the legal term for hit-and-run, last year in Fayette County Court.
He was sentenced to 15 to 30 months in prison for the death of George Tringes. Long testified he hit what he thought was a garbage bag along Route 166 during a late night drive for cigarettes. When he realized the damage to his car, Long returned to the scene and saw Tringes.
He called 911, but gave the dispatcher a fake name and then left the scene. He was charged with more serious crimes, but jurors only found him guilty of hit-and-run.
After his conviction, Long appealed the guilty verdict to the state Superior Court, claiming that the statute that required he stay at the scene and provide his information in the case of a serious accident was unconstitutional because it amounted to self-incrimination.
The court rejected that reasoning and ruled that the statute exists to ensure financial and humanitarian responsibilities for Pennsylvania’s drivers.
Long asked the state Supreme Court to hear the case, but the high court refused.
Judge Steve P. Leskinen, who has allowed Long to remain free on bond while he appealed the verdict, entered an order for him to report to the county lock-up to start serving his sentence.