Fire Truck Crash Leads to DUI and Child Endangerment Charges for Deputy Chief

WAYNE COUNTY, Pa. — Criminal charges have been filed against a Hawley man in connection with a December 20 crash involving a White Mills Fire Department tanker truck, one day after NEPA News published an in-depth report examining the incident and the surrounding circumstances.

Deputy Chief Shane Michael Farrell, 30, of Hawley, has been charged by Pennsylvania State Police with multiple offenses including driving under the influence, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, careless driving, child restraint violations, and other related charges stemming from a single-vehicle crash that occurred Dec. 20, 2025.

According to the criminal complaint, state police were dispatched at approximately 2:20 p.m. to a report of a crash involving a White Mills Fire Department tanker truck on Owego Turnpike. The crash occurred while the tanker was responding to a structure fire, an incident that was previously reported on by NEPA News.

The affidavit states that the investigating trooper was advised that Farrell was operating the tanker at the time of the crash and that his 4-year-old daughter was also inside the vehicle. Both were transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital by a family member rather than by ambulance services.

According to the affidavit, the investigating trooper interviewed Farrell at the hospital, where Farrell admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the day. The trooper also observed a visible cut on the child’s hand and noted that the child had been seated in the middle seat of the tanker without an approved booster seat, as required by Pennsylvania law.

Medical records later obtained through a search warrant showed Farrell’s blood alcohol concentration measured 0.116 percent, exceeding the legal limit.

Photographs from the scene show a snapped utility pole, residents and nearby business owners reported prolonged power outages following the crash.