Log In


Reset Password

Lehighton man given extended jail term for drunken driving

A Lehighton man was given a longer minimum prison term for a driving under the influence charge than is required under the mandatory provisions of the state drunken driving law.

David J. Hartranft, 40, was sentenced by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II to serve 90 days to 60 months in prison for DUI. The 90 days is 60 more than the mandatory minimum required under the statute. However, on a driving under suspension-DUI related, he was given 90 days mandatory with the terms running concurrently. He previously pleaded guilty to the charges.Hartranft was arrested on Jan. 31 along Route 248 in Lower Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton. Troopers responded to the scene of a one-vehicle accident. On scene troopers found Hartranft was the driver involved.They also found three minor children in the vehicle at the time of the crash. A test showed 0.29 BAC.In addition to the jail term for the DUI count, Nanovic also imposed a fine of $2,500, license suspended for 18 months, zero tolerance on drug and alcohol use, render 100 hours of community service when paroled, pay restitution totaling $4,143, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation and parole. On the suspension count Nanovic imposed a fine of $1,000. Hartranft will also lose his license for another year on that charge.He was given credit for 21 days already spent in jail on the charges and was granted immediate work released privileges.