A Texas truck driver was paroled Wednesday after he was sentenced to serve up to 23 months in jail related to a crash and house fire that damaged a North Belle Vernon home last year.
Nathaniel Smyth, 27, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and causing property damage for the Nov. 6 crash. Police said he drove his truck into a utility pole that fell on to a house and caused a fire that damaged the residence. No one was injured as a result of the crash and fire.
Smyth fled the scene and was arrested a short time later near the Donegal ramp of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, according to police.
On Wednesday, Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani sentenced Smyth to serve a minimum of 10 days in jail — time he had already served before posting bond. He was given credit for time served and immediately paroled.
As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dismissed a felony count of risking a catastrophe.
