Man paroled in DUI collision case, faces restitution, deportation
December 18, 2007 5:57 PM
STROUDSBURG — A man who drove drunk, injured a family and fled the accident scene is now on parole.

Guillermo Villafan, 36, was charged June 26 in connection with an accident on North Fifth Street in Stroudsburg. Villafan was placed in Monroe County Correctional Facility and, unable to post bail, stayed there until his sentencing this week.

Villafan pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and causing an accident involving personal injury. The sentence ranges from a minimum of 176 days to a maximum of a year in county jail.

Since Villafan already had served the minimum amount of time in jail, he was paroled Tuesday by Monroe County Court Judge Art Zulick. As part of his sentence, Villafan must pay more than $13,000 in restitution, including medical costs for the family he injured.

Villafan is Mexican and not a U.S. citizen, making him subject to deportation. Because of this, he was remanded to the custody of county sheriff’s deputies. In light of his status, it remains to be seen whether any of the restitution he owes will be paid.

A police affidavit and witness reports give the following account:
On June 26, shortly after 8:30 p.m., Villafan’s Chevy Cavalier was heading north on North Fifth Street. The Cavalier veered off the road and struck the porch of a house at 540 North Fifth St., destroying the porch.

The car went back onto the road and into the oncoming lane, colliding with a southbound Ford Escape. Inside the Escape was a couple and their deaf son, who turned 15 that day.

The impact caused the Escape to flip twice and land on its roof. The father was able to free himself, climbed out and tried to free his son, who was trapped in the back seat.

As the man tried to free the boy, Villafan backed up, almost hitting him, and left the scene. Witnesses were able to get the Cavalier’s license plate number.

Police then got a report of Villafan pushing the Cavalier farther north on North Fifth Street, at Stokes Mill Road. Police arrived at that intersection and found Villafan in the driver’s seat, drunk and disoriented with facial injuries.

On Tuesday, Villafan told the court he is sorry for what he did and that he was having problems where he lived at the time, which was Tobyhanna. Villafan might have to appear back in county court at a future date to discuss restitution payment concerns.

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