BUTLER TWP — A suspected drunken driver faces felony and other charges stemming from a fiery crash last month that left his two passengers badly injured.

Butler Township police on Wednesday charged Eric T. Defelice, 20, of Lyndora with a top count of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence.

Defelice was allegedly impaired by alcohol and marijuana about 12:25 a.m. April 9 when he lost control of his speeding car on Fairground Hill Road and traveled down a ravine.

The 1998 Toyota Avalon struck several trees before bursting into flames. A back-seat passenger, 22-year-old Steven Dunmire of Butler, was thrown out of the car in the wreck.

Police said other motorists rushed to help and dragged Dunmire away from the burning vehicle.

Defelice and his front seat-passenger, 20-year-old Mia Kopp of Butler, were out of the car when officers got there.

Like Dunmire, according to court documents, Kopp was severely injured. Both passengers were taken to Butler Memorial Hospital.

Kopp suffered numerous broken bones and cuts that required stitches. Dunmire was diagnosed with a concussion and he, too, was treated for cuts to the face and head.

Defelice, who suffered less serious injuries, told police that he was driving his brother’s car to the store to buy cigarettes when he crashed.

“I was drinking and driving like an (expletive),” he admitted, documents said. He also acknowledged he had smoked marijuana and was speeding.

The results of a blood test showed Defelice’s blood-alcohol level was 0.111 percent. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.

He also tested positive for THC, the hallucinogen found in marijuana.

Along with vehicular assault while DUI, Defelice is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and a controlled substance, and DUI by a minor.

Additionally, he is charged with minors prohibited from driving with any alcohol in their system, underage drinking, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving and reckless driving.