The superintendent of the Jersey Shore Area School District has been charged with driving under the influence.
According to state police, Richard Emery's blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit last month when he crashed in Northumberland County.
Newswatch 16 spoke with the Jersey Shore area superintendent Tuesday, but he had no comment on the charge. He is still on the job.
Emery could be looking for some way to save his job. He has been superintendent in the district for more than seven years and is now facing charges he was drunk behind the wheel the Friday before Easter.
Troopers said Emery crashed along Route 147 near Milton and had bloodshot, glassy eyes. Court papers state Emery was unable to keep his balance during the sobriety test, and a blood test showed he had a blood alcohol of .21 percent, well over the legal limit.
"He is kind of an intense person who tries to follow rules. He tries to make sure everyone does the right thing and follows the rules, so it is kind of a surprise," said Jersey Shore senior Alyssa Fink. She added it's up to the school board to decide whether Emery stays on with the district, but to her, if the DUI charges are true, then Emery's character is in question. "It's not really a good thing to be looking up to."
The school board president calls Emery a "good superintendent" and went on to say. "The board has heard information and rumors regarding the superintendent. He was in an accident, he was not acting as superintendent, he was on Easter break and was not conducting official business."
Richard Emery is scheduled to be in court later this month in Northumberland County.
Parents who spoke to Newswatch 16 wanted to point out that Emery was superintendent last year when the district wanted to prevent a group of high school seniors from walking at graduation for being at a party where alcohol was served.
Those students were eventually allowed to participate in graduation.