WILLIAMSPORT – The driver of a FedEx box truck who told police he wanted to die has been accused of intentionally causing an accident while driving drunk on Interstate 180 in Williamsport on Monday.
Brad Lee Loomis, 50, of Hughesville, told city police he struck the eastbound car driven by Penny Pardoe intentionally because she would not allow him to merge into traffic, the arrest affidavit states.
No one was injured in the 4:50 p.m. accident at the east city line that resulted in both disabled vehicles ending up against the median guide rail.
According to the affidavit, Loomis attempted several times to barricade himself in the cabin of the truck, stated he wanted to die and at one point displayed a knife.
He admitted drinking vodka, was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech, police said. A blood sample was positive for alcohol, they said.
While at UPMC Williamsport he threatened several times to kill police and was disorderly, they said.
Loomis is charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, driving under the influence and Vehicle Code violations of reckless and careless driving. He is jailed in lieu of $95,000 bail.
