Butler man charged after police find drugs
BUTLER TWP — A suspected drugged driver is accused of throwing away a grocery bag filled with about 260 stamp bags of heroin and two plastic baggies with cocaine following a two-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon.
Several witnesses told police that shortly after the 12:30 p.m. wreck at Whitestown Road and Pierce Avenue, they saw Ryan C. Furl, 45, of Butler toss several items over the guardrail and into weeds, investigators said.
Furl eventually led officers to the bag containing the suspected drugs, according to court documents. He also pointed to a hypodermic needle he allegedly discarded.
Police arrested Furl on five charges, including felony drug possession and driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
He is being held in Butler County Prison on $100,000 bail.
Witnesses to the wreck told police that they saw a man, later identified as Furl, driving a Pontiac G5 westbound swerve in front of an eastbound Chevrolet Equinox.
The two vehicles avoided a head-on collision, police said, but the sport utility vehicle rolled onto its roof after the two vehicles sideswiped each other.
Janet Wachter, 57, of Butler was the other driver. Charging documents did not indicate if there were any passengers in that vehicle.
Several good Samaritans were credited with helping to pry open the doors of the overturned SUV and getting Wachter out.
Watcher was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital with apparent minor injuries.
Police said while speaking to Furl he admitted that he had marijuana and other drug contraband on him, documents said. He turned over a drawstring bag with the items.
A short time later officers seized the other evidence they say he tried to hide.
Police also suspected Furl was impaired, and he subsequently failed a drug recognition expert's evaluation.
He was eventually taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for a blood test. Toxicology reports are pending.
District Judge Kevin O'Donnell arraigned Furl on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Police noted that charges could be added or amended after they receive toxicology reports.
