The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office is investigating a crash involving Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick. On Wednesday (April 2), Hartwick crashed his county-issued 2023 Ford Explorer in the county parking garage. This marks his fourth crash in a county-owned vehicle since 2014.
According to Dauphin County Chief Clerk Eric Hagarty, standard procedure requires the driver in such incidents to undergo drug and alcohol testing. However, it remains unconfirmed if Hartwick has been screened. The crash occurred as Hartwick was reportedly late to a public meeting, having attended a flag-planting event for National Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Capitol Complex earlier that day. Witnesses noted that he appeared to be slurring his speech during the meeting.
Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo confirmed that the Attorney General's Office is handling the investigation. A spokesperson for the AG’s Office stated they have received the referral, but no further details are available as the investigation is ongoing.
The incident has raised concerns due to Hartwick's history of similar accidents, prompting a thorough review by state authorities.
https://www.dauphincounty.gov/government/publicly-elected-officials/commissioners/contact-the-commissioners
>>Report: Dauphin County Commissioner Hartwick Lied About Attending Event
(Dauphin County, PA) -- Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick reportedly lied about attending an event yesterday to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month. Hartwick had agreed to appear at a flag planting event at the Capitol hosted by the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance, and said he was late to the Board of Commissioners meeting because of it. However, the organization told WHP-TV that none of its staff saw Hartwick at the event. This happened around the time Hartwick was reportedly involved in a crash in the county parking garage. It is unknown at this time if the incidents are connected.