Former ADA Facing DUI Charges

According to The Mercury, former Assistant District Attorney John Aitchison is facing DUI and related charges stemming from a June 2 car crash on Trappe Road in Upper Providence. Aitchison left his position in the district attorney's office in July of this year.

According to reports, Upper Providence police responded to the 700 block of South Trappe Road at around 2:39 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, for a report of a two-vehicle crash. According to an affidavit, Aitchison's vehicle had allegedly crossed the double yellow line into oncoming traffic and struck a northbound vehicle. Court records say Aitchison allegedly kept going south and turned onto Mennonite Road and was eventually stoped by a witness who pulled alongside him and forced him to pull over and insited he return to the scene of the accident.

At the scene, officers spoke to the driver of the car Aitchison allegedly struck who told them that Aitchison had identified himself as a county prosecutor. He also reportedly told police the Aitchison "smelled like he had been drinking." 

A witness on the scene told police that he had been driving a few cars behind Aitchison’s vehicle and saw him cross into the oncoming lane of traffic six or seven times within a few miles of where the accident occured. Another witness told police he had been driving directly behind Aitchison and he had been driving so erratically that the witness began blowing his horn to get Aitchison to pull over.

Aitchison reportedly told authorities he had bee working in the county prosecuter's office and had not had anything to drink that day. He reportedly told police that he was tired because he hadn't slept in days and fell asleep while driving. Court records say he later claimed he was distracted when he drove into the oncoming traffic. Police say Aitchison’s blew a 0.248% blood-alcohol content level on a breathalizer.

Aitchison has pleaded not guilty to charges including driving under the influence, careless driving and disregarding traffic lanes.

Read more about the case here.