WILKES-BARRE — A Larksville man convicted by a Luzerne County jury of driving under the influence of several controlled substances was sentenced to state prison, his third DUI conviction within 10 years.
Neil Debo, 42, of East State Street, was charged by the Pennsylvania State Police at Hazleton after he crashed his 2024 Volkswagen in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 near mile marker 150.1 in Butler Township on Feb. 15, 2025, according to court records.
Debo was spotted by state police standing along the highway, claiming he was looking for his dog, court records say.
A trooper gave Debo a courtesy ride to a gasoline service station, but later responded when Debo appeared a second time along the highway when the wrecked Volkswagen was found.
Debo claimed he was returning home with his dog from Harrisburg when he crashed, court records say.
After Debo was encountered a second time along the highway, he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
A blood test revealed Debo had methamphetamine, amphetamine, marijuana, and other controlled substances in his system, court records say.
State police in court records say they found a bag of psilocybin mushrooms, methamphetamine, and a quantity of prescription pills inside the Volkswagen.
Following a trial held on May 19, a jury convicted Debo on four counts of driving under the influence of controlled substances, obstructing justice, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to report an accident, careless driving, failure to stay in the lane of travel, and disregarding the traffic lane.
Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael T. Vough sentenced Debo to 22 to 44 months in state prison followed by 44 months of probation.
Court records say Debo’s conviction was his third DUI conviction within 10 years.
Assistant District Attorney Michael Dubinski prosecuted.
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