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Apartments, offices planned for PNC bank building in downtown Wilkes-Barre

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Kingston Twp. police officer Michael Prokopchak receives Medal of Valor for heroic actions

<p>KINGSTON &#8212; A Courtdale woman is facing homicide-by-vehicle charges stemming from a fatal crash in Edwardsville.</p><p>Audrey Sutton, 21, faces charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and homicide by vehicle. She also faces four counts of DUI, two counts of reckless driving and one count of speeding in connection with the crash.</p><p>She was arraigned on the charges before District Judge Paul Roberts on Thursday.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/603394/crash-data-seized-kingston-mans-death-investigated-as-homicide" target="_blank">a search warrant filed in November</a>, Sutton allegedly admitted to drinking &#8220;two beers&#8221; and said she would likely have &#8220;old marijuana&#8221; in her system following an Oct. 23 crash on Main Street in Edwardsville.</p><p>A witness, however, told investigators that Sutton had up to nine drinks before leaving an area bar on the night of the crash.</p><p>When asked if she had any addictions to controlled substances, Sutton said she &#8220;didn&#8217;t feel&#8221; that she did, but added that her mother told her she drinks &#8220;too much.&#8221;</p><p>According to a criminal complaint, a taxi driver who saw the crash told police he was driving east on Main Street when the crash happened. The taxi driver heard &#8220;a motor vehicle winding out at top speed,&#8221; followed by the sound of squealing tires as the driver apparently lost control.</p><p>The vehicle, allegedly driven by Sutton, slid toward Jackson Street as she tried to negotiate the curve. The vehicle then struck a concrete stoop in front of a building on the corner of Jackson and Main streets.</p><p>Investigators said a resident of the building that Sutton allegedly struck ran out to help, later telling police Sutton appeared to have a hard time opening the door.</p><p>A passenger in the vehicle&#8217;s backseat, 21-year-old Casey Michalek, of Kingston, died as a result of multiple traumatic head injuries, the warrant states. A front passenger was uninjured.</p><p>On Oct. 27, forensic pathologist Gary Ross ruled the manner of death as a homicide.</p><p>Police also spoke with Kimberly Louise White, an employee of Rob&#8217;s Pub and Grub in Larksville. White told police she was tending bar on Oct. 22 and into Oct. 23, and that that Sutton also worked at the establishment that night.</p><p>When Sutton got off work, she received a free beer and put $20 on the table, White told police. Sutton and her boyfriend then allegedly had several more alcoholic beverages.</p><p>In total, investigators believed Sutton had six pints of beer and three shots. Investigators also noted that Sutton weighs about 96 pounds.</p><p>The criminal complaint indicates Sutton voluntarily submitted to a blood-alcohol content test at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on the night of the crash. Sutton&#8217;s BAC allegedly was 0.197 percent, more than twice the 0.08 percentage at which an adult driver is considered intoxicated in Pennsylvania.</p><p>Further analysis of Sutton&#8217;s blood revealed that amphetamines and Oxycodone were present in her system.</p><p>Sutton&#8217;s attorney, Mark Mack, told Roberts that his client intends to cooperate &#8220;completely&#8221; with investigators, and he asked for a lower bail.</p><p>Assistant District Attorney Mamie Phillips, however, argued that Sutton posed a risk for the community and that she should not be able to drive a vehicle.</p><p>Roberts noted that he was unable to prohibit Sutton from driving a vehicle, and he set her bail at $10,000 cash or bond. As part of her bail conditions, Sutton is prohibited from going to establishments that sell alcohol, and she is to refrain from using drugs or alcohol.</p><p>A bail bondsman was expected to post Sutton&#8217;s bail.</p><p>Sutton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Roberts at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 28.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Audrey Sutton, 21, walks with officials to the Kingston Police Department for processing on Thursday. The Courtdale resident was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Sutton-2-4.jpg</photo0><caption0>Audrey Sutton, 21, walks with officials to the Kingston Police Department for processing on Thursday. The Courtdale resident was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. </caption0><photoCredit0>Travis Kellar | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Sutton-5.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Sutton </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Sutton-5.jpg</photo1><caption1>Sutton </caption1><photoCredit1>Travis Kellar | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Courtdale woman arraigned on homicide-by-vehicle charges