Man charged with striking kids, DUI faces trial
CARMICHAELS – A Carmichaels man arrested after he allegedly struck three children with his sport utility vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol and then fled the scene will face trial after charges filed against him were held for court Wednesday. Stephen Dodson, 43, was arrested on June 27 on several charges following allegations by state police that he struck the children on a road in Cumberland Township on June 27, according to court records. Dodson was charged with three misdemeanor counts each of accidents involving death or personal injury, two misdemeanor counts of accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or other property and one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence. He was also issued summary citations for careless driving and driving on roadways laned for traffic.
All of the charges filed against Dodson were held for court during his preliminary hearing Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson.
State police allege that Dodson was traveling east on Browns Ferry Road in a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer at around 4:11 p.m. June 27 when he apparently drifted off of the road and struck two children on bicycles and a third child that was standing near them.
Police said Dodson failed to stop after striking the children and continued to drive east on Browns Ferry Road.
A patrol of the area was quickly initiated and Dodson’s vehicle was observed traveling west on Route 1021, four miles from the scene of the accident, police said.
Police initiated a traffic stop on Dodson and observed that his vehicle had sustained front end damage; when he was questioned about the damage, Dodson reportedly said to police, “I think I hit someone.”
Police said they detected an odor of alcohol coming from Dodson during questioning. He was then taken into custody.
The names and ages of the children were not released; however, police reported that two of the victims are male juveniles from Nemacolin and the third is a female juvenile from Crucible.
Dodson was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Glenn Bates and was released from custody on June 29 after posting $10,000, 10-percent bond.
His preliminary hearing on the charges was initially scheduled for July 7 but was continued until Wednesday. He remains free on bail.