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Couple drove under influence with infant passenger

LANCASTER TWP — Police say a Beaver County couple were on drugs before crashing their vehicle on Interstate 79 with an infant passenger.

Emily M. Shontz, 22, and Nathan J. McKee, 34, both of Rochester, face criminal charges of child endangerment after crashing into a median Wednesday evening around mile marker 92 southbound.

Police reports state both were driving under the influence of heroin. McKee, the passenger, allegedly overdosed on heroin and fell unconscious.

Shontz then tried waking McKee, but drove of the road and crashed into the median.

The 1-year-old child was secured in a child safety seat.

McKee was treated by paramedics for opioid overdose and refused transport to a hospital.

Shontz told police the two had ingested heroin before driving, police reports state.

Shontz was charged with DUI and endangering the welfare of children, both misdemeanors, and numerous summary driving offenses.

McKee faces one misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of children.

Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m. at District Judge Wayne Seibel’s office.

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