Pa. turnpike official charged with drunken driving

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — The chief operating officer of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is charged with driving under the influence after allegedly crashing his car into a fence in Hershey.

Police said today that 44-year-old George Hatalowich was behind the wheel of a car that spun out and struck a fence owned by Hershey Park on April 5. They said he then drove off headed north in the southbound lane.

Police say Hatalowich had a blood-alcohol level of 0.137. He is charged with offenses that include two counts of DUI.

The turnpike commission says Hatalowich was driving his own car on personal time and no disciplinary action has been taken.

Hatalowich faces a May 26 preliminary hearing.