Pennsylvania state representative out of Fayette County suspected of DUI in car crash

SOUTH UNION TWP, Pa. — A Pennsylvania state representative representing Fayette and Somerset counties was involved in a car accident on June 4 where he was suspected of DUI.

According to Pennsylvania State Police Uniontown, a 2011 Mini Cooper S rear-ended a 2021 Toyota Tacoma twice, causing moderate damage to the car. It had to be towed.

The Mini CooperS’s operator, identified as Matthew Dowling, experienced a diabetic emergency while on the scene of the crash and was taken to Uniontown Hospital for treatment, according to police.

Officials said in the initial police report that charges related to suspicions of DUI are pending analysis of blood work results and related medical records.

In a second police report, officials said Dowling “appeared to be manifestly under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance at the time of the crash” and that charges against Dowling are pending further investigation.

Dowling posted on his Facebook regarding the accident.

In the post, Dowling said he was in a “horrific” car accident in October that brought about medical issues related to his diabetes. He said the injuries he received in the accident were “life changing” and while adjusting to these changes, he struggled to deal with the trauma, and that struggle “manifested itself in disappointing behavior that I have faced in the past with respect to alcohol, and that came to a head in an auto accident on June 4, 2022.”

Dowling apologized to the people he represents and to his family in the statement, and said he has entered professional treatment to address any possible alcohol issues he has.

Dowling said he’s asking the public to respect the privacy of his family at this time, “as they should not suffer for my actions.”

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