WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — While state police in Luzerne County investigate whether alcohol played a role in a deadly wreck Saturday, the 19-year-old they said was behind the wheel is awaiting sentencing for driving under the influence last year.
Tyler Mizell, of Hanover Township, veered off Hunlock-Harveyville Road just after 4 a.m. and struck an embankment where the street intersects with Nevel Hollow Road in Union Township, state police at Shickshinny said.
Kaycee A. Kreitzer, Mizell’s passenger, was thrown from his Chevrolet Colorado by the impact. Kreizer, 19, of Glen Lyon, died at the scene.
Mizell was later discharged from Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, officials said. Efforts to reach him Sunday were unsuccessful.
State police say they suspect alcohol may have played a role but have not elaborated. Mizell has not been charged, according to court records.
However, a review of those court records shows that Mizell is awaiting sentencing in Luzerne County for DUI stemming from a crash last year on the San Souci Parkway.
Just after midnight on Sept. 16, Hanover Township Police Sergeant John VanWhy alleged Mizell, then 18, had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.081% when he struck 27-year-old Arica Grabowski, according to a criminal complaint. He had a 12-ounce can of Miller Lite beer in his center console, which he denied was his.
Grabowski was hospitalized in critical condition. Attorney Peter J. Biscontini gave Mizell notice he would file a lawsuit on Grabowski’s behalf. The civil case was settled in March before Biscontini filed a complaint, according to filings.
In criminal court, Mizell pleaded guilty last month to a count of DUI. He is scheduled for sentencing in September.
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