EBENSBURG —
An East Taylor Township father wanted on charges in a fatal crash in which his son was killed surrendered voluntarily to authorities Monday afternoon at the Cambria County Courthouse.
Brian J. Roles Sr. has been sought by the township police since July 30, when they filed vehicular homicide, drunken driving and related charges against him before District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi.
Roles was at the wheel when his pickup went out of control, hit a utility pole and overturned April 8 on William Penn Avenue. His 16-year-old son, Brian Jr., who was a passenger, was killed. Roles Sr. and another teen were injured in the crash.
The father was taken before Judge Timothy Creany and arraigned on the charges in the fatal crash as well as an unrelated second set of charges of drug possession, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
Roles, who was represented by Public Defender John Messina, then waived his right to a preliminary hearing on all the charges, which automatically means he will face trial on them in county court.
Total bail was set at $30,000. But instead of having him sent to the county prison, the judge – with the consent of District Attorney Kelly Callihan – agreed to furlough him immediately for treatment to an intensive detox program at a secure treatment facility.
Messina said that Roles would be at the White Deer Run Treatment Center near Allenwood, Union County, for one month and then at a halfway house – also a secure facility – for three months.
Township police expressed concern that Roles would be transported to the treatment facility by family members instead of sheriff deputies, but the judge decided to permit him to be taken there by them. However, he warned that if Roles failed to go there or left before his treatment was completed, he would be jailed immediately.
As soon as Roles completes the four-month program, he will also be required to return to the prison before bond can be posted for his release, Creany said.
Because of the new charges, the judge found Roles in violation of parole in an unrelated case, but delayed imposing a sentence on it until after the new charges are disposed of.
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