VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) — A Cranberry man is facing a hearing next week on charges for allegedly threatening children, then attempting to hit them with his car while he was reportedly driving under the influence.

Court documents indicate 62-year-old Howard Dean Freeman is scheduled to stand for a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 1, on the following charges:

– Terroristic Threats With Intent To Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
– Harassment — Communicate Lewd, Threatening, Etc. Language, Misdemeanor 3
– DUI: Highest Rate of Alcohol (BAC .16+) 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– DUI: General Impairment/Incapable of Driving Safely — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– Reckless Driving, Summary
– Careless Driving, Summary
– Restrictions on Alcoholic Beverages, Summary

He is currently lodged in the Venango County Jail on $1,500.00 monetary bail.

The charges stem from an incident that took place late last month in Cranberry Township.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, around 4:07 p.m. on October 22, Franklin-based State Police were dispatched to a location on Peg-A-Nail Road in Cranberry Township, Venango County, for a report of an incident where a man nearly struck juveniles with a vehicle.

Police then spoke to a known woman who reported that her juvenile children were walking their dog on the roadway and she was sitting in front of her house waiting for them to return when she saw Howard Freeman walking to his vehicle.

The woman told police that Freeman appeared to be stumbling as he walked. She also reported that after Freeman got in his vehicle, as he was driving from his driveway, he yelled out his window “I am going to hit those (expletive) kids,” at her. He then drove toward the area where her children were walking the dog.

The woman reported that a short time later, her children returned home and told her that Freeman attempted to hit them with his vehicle. The children reportedly said they had to jump out of the way of the vehicle after he swerved it toward them on purpose.

Police then began canvassing the area, trying to make contact with Freeman and saw him in his vehicle in the area of Lake View Drive in Richland Township.

The police spoke the Freeman, starting by asking how his day was going, he reportedly immediately began talking about issues he was having with his landlord, stating he was at his residence earlier retrieving his belongings. Police then noted an odor of alcohol on Freeman’s breath. He also reportedly had bloodshot eyes and a disheveled appearance. He was then asked to step out of his vehicle.

According to the complaint, when Freeman got out of the vehicle, he had to lean against it as he walked to keep from stumbling. Police then attempted to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests on Freeman, but after observing numerous signs of impairment, they were unable to conclude all of the tests due to Freeman’s level of intoxication.

Freeman was then taken to UPMC Northwest for a legal blood draw.

Freeman was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland at 10:00 a.m. on October 23.