Lackawanna County sheriff's deputy drives wife, a probation officer, from scene of DUI crash, police say
Nov. 15—After a Lackawanna County adult probation officer crashed her car while drunk seven weeks ago in Olyphant, her husband, a county sheriff's deputy, gave her a ride home, authorities said Tuesday.
A summons was issued Tuesday to Natalie George, 31, and her husband, Joseph George, 40, both of Jefferson Twp., to appear in court Dec. 22. Natalie George faces a count of driving under the influence and Joseph George is charged with obstruction.
Around 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21, borough Sgt. Lewis Kline's cellphone started ringing.
"Are you working," shouted Joseph George on the other end, according to the criminal complaint. "You have to get up to Marshwood Road. Natalie crashed her car!"
As Kline informed the 911 center what happened, witnesses started reporting the crash as well.
Natalie George's white Subaru was empty by the time police arrived. Witnesses told them the Subaru hit a tree after swerving in the road. The driver, who police identified as Natalie George, was soon picked up and driven away by a man in a black pickup truck, who police identified as Joseph George, according to the criminal complaint.
In another phone call, Joseph George told Kline he picked his wife up and drove her home, police said.
Kline responded to their Jefferson Twp. home and spoke with Joseph George, who told Kline his wife went to a friend's home nearby. Joseph George placed a phone call and then told Kline that Natalie George would be home soon.
At about 6:30 p.m., she arrived home. She smelled of alcohol and Kline placed her under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence.
A blood test indicated her blood alcohol concentration was 0.127%, the criminal complaint said. Drivers with a BAC above 0.08% are considered under the influence.
Natalie George has been an officer in the county adult probation and parole department since May 2019. She earns an annual salary of $39,515, according to county employment records.
Natalie George's current employment status was unclear. Attempts to reach Gene Eiden, the chief of probation, were unsuccessful. Joseph D'Arienzo, a county spokesman, called it a "personnel matter."
Joseph George started work in the county sheriff's office in June 2007. The corporal earns a rate of $28.48 an hour, records show.
Sheriff Mark McAndrew said Joseph George is on administrative leave.
Attempts to reach them were unsuccessful. Their attorney, Jason Mattioli, declined to comment.
Contact the writer:
570-348-9100, x5187;
@jkohutTT on Twitter.
