A Monroe County man pleaded guilty Wednesday in a DUI crash earlier this year that left an 86-year-old business owner dead in Forks Township, the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office said.
Daniel L. Zipp, 41, of Cresco, had a measurable amount of methamphetamine in his blood following the Jan. 23 crash that fatally injured Joseph Lee Boucher, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Boucher founded Bardot Plastics Inc. in Alpha and moved the company in 1990 to Palmer Township, and remained owner and CEO at the time of his death.
Witnesses said Zipp was headed west on Uhler Road when he swerved into the eastbound lane, striking Boucher’s vehicle, District Attorney Terence Houck’s office said in a news release.
Boucher was taken to St. Luke’s University Hospital, Fountain Hill, with serious internal injuries, and he succumbed to those injuries Jan. 24, authorities said.
Zipp, who was also injured in the crash that involved three vehicles in all, told Forks police at the scene he may have fallen asleep before hitting a car head-on, the DA’s office says.
“He further stated he was on methamphetamine and that it was in his pocket, after police asked if he was currently on any drugs,” the release states. “Police took custody of the methamphetamine and clear glass pipe in Zipp’s left jean pocket.”
Zipp was also taken to the St. Luke’s campus, where he consented to a blood test that showed the illegal stimulant in his system, authorities said.
Zipp pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of a controlled substance, DUI-controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine.
Sentencing is scheduled 10 a.m. Dec. 1 before President Judge Michael Koury Jr.
Court records show Zipp has been in Northampton County Prison since Feb. 17 in the case, in lieu of 10% of $1 million bail.
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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
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