Greensburg Salem Teacher Charged After Being Pulled Over Twice On Same Day
GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- A Westmoreland County teacher has been put on leave and is now facing charges after he was pulled over twice last weekend for allegedly driving under the influence.
The suspect, 39-year-old Brian Minick, a teacher in the Greensburg Salem School District, is facing DUI charges.
According to police, during the first traffic stop, officers found suspected hydrocodone pills; and during the second, Minick was allegedly huffing industrial strength multi-purpose duster from an aerosol can.
Police say it all started Saturday just before 8 p.m. on West Main Street.
A Westmoreland County Park Police officer pulled Minick over after his pickup was seen weaving back and forth on the road and struck another vehicle.
Officers seized a baggie from Minick that had 24 suspected hydrocodone pills, according to the criminal complaint.
Minick told police he lost consciousness briefly while driving. Facing charges, he was told not to drive and released to his father.
"Typically, a person arrested for DUI is processed and released, taken home and advised not to leave and drive a motor vehicle again," said Chief Doug Sam, of Mount Pleasant Police.
But later that same night, around 10:30, the same officer who responded to the scene of first incident reported that he spotted a pickup truck on Route 819 heading toward Scottdale traveling slowly, holding up traffic.
The criminal complaint reports the officer realized it was the same pickup and tried to pull the vehicle over. The pickup stopped, but then reversed, nearly hitting the officer's police car.
According to the criminal complaint, Minick eventually pulled his vehicle over into a parking lot where the officer ordered him out of the vehicle. Instead, police say he reached for an aerosol can and put it in his mouth. Authorities say they found two aerosol cans of the multi-purpose duster in the pickup.
The criminal complaint reports the officer used his Taser to bring Minick into custody.
The individual had to be Tazed and taken into custody," said Chief Sam. "It's unusual, but it does happen, sometimes drug-related incidents, people don't use the best judgment.
Minick was taken to Frick Hospital to be checked out before he was taken to jail.
Greensburg Salem School District released this statement:
"We heard of the charges over the weekend. Mr. Minick was put on paid leave while we learn more about the incident and the charges."
This is Minick's second arrest for DUI. He's free on $7,500 unsecured bond.
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