CORNPLANTER TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A Rouseville man has been accused of homicide by vehicle while DUI and related charges following a crash that occurred on Cornplanter Hill Road, in Cornplanter Township, Venango County.

According to court documents, criminal charges were filed against 18-year-old Austin Michael Clever, of Rouseville.

According to a criminal complaint, around 1:39 a.m. on May 4, Franklin-based State Police were dispatched to a vehicle crash. A green in color Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by Austin Clever, was traveling south on Cornplanter Hill Road, and went off the roadway and into a ditch, impacting a tree.

As a result of the collision with the tree, the driver’s side rear seat passenger — a 16-year-old male — died from injuries that he received in the crash.

Additionally, the rear seat middle passenger — a 15-year-old individual — suffered serious injuries; and the front seat passenger — a 17-year-old individual — suffered minor injuries, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Clever told officers that he was coming down the hill and his phone lit up in the center cubby hole. He stated that when he reached for his phone, he went into the ditch. He said that he was traveling about 40 mph.

Clever allegedly admitted to consuming 1 1/2 bottles of Mike’s Hard Lemonade around two to two-and-a-half hours prior to the crash. He stated that he called his mother right after the crash happened, and she told him to call 911 right away, the complaint indicates.

During the initial interview, State Police could detect a moderate smell of alcohol emitting from Clever’s breath, and they observed that he had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, the complaint continues.

According to the complaint, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test of the Standardized Sobriety Field Test showed signs of impairment. Field Sobriety Tests were stopped at this time due to Clever seeking medical treatment from an arriving ambulance.

Clever was placed under arrest for DUI and transported to the Titusville Area Hospital ER, the complaint states.

A blood sample was drawn from Clever at Titusville ER. The results revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.037%, according to the complaint.

He was arraigned at 1:00 a.m. on August 1 in Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office on the following charges:

– Homicide By Vehicle While Driving Under The Influence, Felony 2
– Aggravated Assault By Vehicle While DUI, Felony 2 (two counts)
– Homicide By Vehicle, Felony 3
– Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, Felony 3 (two counts)
– DUI: Gen Imp/Inc of Driving Safely — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI: Minor — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– Reckless Driving, Summary
– Failure To Keep Right, Summary
– Driving at Safe Speed, Summary
– Driving Unregistered Vehicle, Summary
– Minor Prohibited/Operating W/Alcohol, Summary
– Give False Information, Summary
– Improper Tires, Summary

He is free on $50,000.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on August 9 in front of Judge Lowrey.