A New Ringgold man faces multiple charges after West Penn Township police say he caused five crashes while driving under the influence.

Nicholas R. Schuler, 26, was charged by Officer John C. Kaczmarczyk after a chain of events on Aug. 17.

West Penn police were called to investigate a vehicle rolled over on West Penn Pike.

Police found a GMC Sierra that was traveling north and had gone off the roadway striking a tree, with the driver, who identified himself as Schuler, on the ground.

Police said they detected a strong odor of alcohol on Schuler and he was taken by helicopter to the hospital.

Police were then alerted to another crash south of that location in which the same vehicle was involved, hitting a woman’s vehicle. She was evaluated by EMS and had minor injuries.

Witnesses at that crash told police that the vehicle was throwing sparks because it was only driving on three wheels.

Police were then advised of more crashes at the top of the Blue Mountain on West Penn Pike (Route 309).

When police arrived at that scene, approximately a half-mile away from the second crash, they found three more crashes

A delivery van driving was southbound and struck a wheel and axle that were in the middle of the roadway, causing damage to the van’s undercarriage and spilling oil all over the road.

The delivery van was not drivable, and the driver was uninjured. The wheel and axle were from Schuler’s vehicle, police said.

Fencing at the Thunderhead Lodge, 2520 West Penn Pike was also struck. It was determined by tire and gouge marks that it was Schuler‘s vehicle that crossed the lane and also the berm for the southbound lane and struck the fence. Schuler failed to stop after striking the fence and continued north on Route 309.

Schuler was charged by Kaczmarczyk with driving under the influence: highest rate of alcohol second offense; two counts each of accidents involving death or personal injury; two counts each of accidents involving damage to an attended vehicle/property; driving under the influence - second offense; accidental damage to an unattended vehicle or property; two counts each of failure to stop and give information or render aid; reckless driving and failure to keep right.

He faces a preliminary hearing at 9:45 a.m. Dec. 20 before District Judge Andrew J. Serina of Orwigsburg.