FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - The Shenandoah driver involved in a violent two-vehicle crash on July 2 between Girardville and Ashland has been charged with driving under the influence and other violations by the Butler Township Police Department.
Butler Township Lt. Daniel Holderman filed the charges against Natalie Cherkoski, 41, of 414 W. New York St., Shenandoah, on Monday with Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale of Frackville. Charges are two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, and one count each of careless driving and driving on roadways laned for traffic.
The crash occurred on state Route 54 about 9:45 a.m. between Big Mine Run Road and the "Y" intersection near Homesville, with fire units responding from Girardville and Ashland, ambulances from Girardville, Ashland and Shenandoah, and police from Butler Township and Frackville.
Cherkoski was driving a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser that impacted with Hyundai driven by Brenda Sachleben, 45, of 232 W. Main St., Girardville, leaving the Chrysler pointed east in the westbound lane, and the Hyundai facing west on the berm near the eastbound lane.
At the time of the crash, it could not be determined which direction either vehicle was traveling since there were no witnesses who saw the impact. Sachleben was removed from her car with the "Jaws of Life," and both women were flown by LifeFlight from the Girardville Little League field to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where Sachleben was admitted in critical condition, Cherkoski in serious condition.
"We discovered Cherkoski was driving westbound on Route 54 heading to the Ashland area and for some reason she crossed over and struck Sachleben in the eastbound lane," said Holderman, who is a certified accident reconstructionist and conducted the investigation.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, a urine sample from Cherkoski was obtained from Geisinger through a warrant and was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Franklin Street for further analysis. Holderman received the toxicology results on Aug. 14.
"Charges were filed against Cherkoski, who was cited with driving under the influence, careless driving, driving on roadways laned for traffic. She had four substances in her system. She was driving under the influence of codeine, hydrocodone, methadone and morphine, according to the toxicology results."
Holderman said Sachleben and Cherkoski sustained major injuries from the crash and are receiving physical therapy.
After the accident, Cherkoski's tan and white Pomeranian named "Bear" ran off and has not been recovered, but there have been sightings of it, Holderman said.
Six weeks after he went missing, the dog was spotted in the Shamokin area.
Michelle McCrary, of 101 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, and her boyfriend, Matthew Raynor, saw the dog in the area of the Fifth Ward Aug. 12. A check on Facebook and follow-up conversations with Cherkoski confirmed the dog's identity. Bear has also been spotted by other people, she said, on Independence Street and near the Vine Street steps.
"The dog is still running around," said Holderman. "Actually, it's been seen around our station. Someone saw it in the cemetery at night."
Anyone who finds the dog should call Butler Township police at 875-4131.