A Monroe County man who drove his vehicle head-on into another vehicle while under the influence of controlled substances, seriously injuring the other driver, was sentenced in Carbon County court on Thursday to a state prison term.

Alex W. Stewart, 32, of Cresco, was sentenced by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II to serve 18 to 36 months in a state correctional institution on a charge of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI; and 90 days to five years in a state prison on a DUI count, with the terms running concurrently.

Stewart was arrested on April 28, 2020, by state police at Lehighton following a crash along Little Gap Road in Lower Towamensing Township.

Stewart was driving a U-Haul truck while under the influence of drugs when the vehicle slammed into a Ford Focus, injuring a Palmerton man. The incident happened at 7:32 a.m. when the U-Haul truck was traveling west and the driver, Stewart, suddenly passed out, troopers said. Troopers said the truck crashed into the Focus that was traveling eastbound, dragging it 100 feet. Police said the victim sustained severe injuries and was transported to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest.

Troopers said Stewart was administered several standard field sobriety tests and a drug recognition expert evaluation and was found to be under the influence of controlled substances. A chemical test of his blood was then administered. The police report also indicated Stewart admitted using illegal drugs before the crash.

On Thursday, the victim told the court because of the crash and resulting injuries he sustained, he cannot work in his chosen field as a registered nurse and is on full disability. He said he is limited on what he can do physically, noting, “I can’t even lift up my son anymore.” He has to walk with a cane and told the court he is facing at least two more surgeries.

The victim said he holds no ill will against Stewart and hopes he gets the help he needs.

He told Stewart, “I do want you to serve your sentence and hopefully you have a good life.”

Assistant District Attorney Brian B. Gazo commended the victim for his comments and said in such cases the victims can be vindictive. He said the instant case the victim always cooperated with authorities in the investigation and never sought retribution against Stewart.

Stewart, who has been an inmate in the county prison since the incident and appeared via video from the jail, apologized to the victim for what happened. He said being in jail since the incident has changed his life. He said he has taken all programs offered at the prison concerning his drug addiction problem.

Gazo said Stewart, a military veteran, applied for the county’s veterans’ court, but it was opposed by the district attorney’s office.

Gazo said, “I vehemently opposed it.” He said he felt Stewart should spend his time in the state system.

Nanovic noted that the incident was not the first time Stewart was in a crash in which a person was seriously injured. He referred to a prior crash where a relative of Stewart was a passenger in a crash while the defendant was under the influence of drugs. That person was crippled because of his injuries and eventually took his own life.

In addition to the prison term, Stewart was ordered to supply a DNA sample, get a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, pay court costs of about $1,000 and make restitution to the victim for medical bills totaling $32,308.80. On the DUI count he was fined $5,000 and his license was suspended for 18 months.

He was given credit for 443 days already served. Despite having his minimum time in, he will be transferred to a state prison for processing. The state department of corrections will then determine when he will be paroled.