SCRANTON, Pa. — Two men surrendered Wednesday at Lackawanna County Central Court to face charges alleging their speed and reckless driving claimed the life of a well-known local businessman two months ago.
John Darko, 44, of Clarks Summit, and Paul Viscomi, 44, of Scott Township, were both arraigned on criminal complaints charging them with homicide by vehicle and a raft of vehicle offenses.
Criminal complaints filed Wednesday accused them of allegedly causing the death of Brian Nardella, the owner of the popular Loyalty Barber Shop, by causing a crash on March 27 on North Keyser Avenue.
“This case, in particular, is very tough because the driving behavior is so egregious, so reckless, and it resulted in the death of such a beloved member of our community: A respected businessman, a personal friend of so many people, and a good husband,” said Lackawanna County First Assistant District Attorney Brian Gallagher.
Scranton police said surveillance footage recovered from Pizza Plus, a business on that road, helped them piece together how the crash happened.
The video showed that Darko tried to merge onto North Keyser Avenue while heading north that morning. Viscomi intentionally sped up to stop Darko from entering his lane.
“The video shows each of them speeding and jockeying for position with their trucks,” read an affidavit.
Darko and Viscomi hit each other, and the impact sent Darko’s Chevrolet Silverado spinning into the southbound lanes. Investigators who analyzed the video said the two were driving faster than 50 miles per hour just before crashing. The speed limit on the road is 35 miles per hour.
Darko’s truck struck Nardella’s Honda, police said.
An accident reconstruction conducted by the state police determined Nardella tried to get out of the way of Darko but couldn’t. Darko hit him, and the impact sent Nardella over an embankment.
Darko’s Chevrolet spun “violently” and threw Darko from the driver’s seat. He broke an arm and a leg. Nardella died after he reached Geisinger Community Medical Center.
On Wednesday, Darko wept as he entered Central Court in a wheelchair.
Attorney Shane Scanlon, who represents Viscomi, assured Magisterial District Judge Joanne Corbett his client is “taking it very seriously.”
Corbett barred both men from driving a car for the time being and released them on $250,000 bail. They’re due back in court next month for a preliminary hearing.