MERCER, Pa. - The superintendent of the Mercer Area School District decided to forgo a scheduled preliminary hearing on charges stemming from an alleged golf cart and driving under the influence crash, sending the case to the Jefferson County Common Pleas Court.

Ronald R. Rowe Jr., 55, who has served as the district’s superintendent since 2019, waived Tuesday’s scheduled hearing before a Magisterial District Judge.

Rowe, of Hermitage, is charged with DUI, assault, failure to keep right, as well as driving carelessly, recklessly, and at an unsafe speed.

The charges originated from a September incident at the Scottish Heights Golf Course in Snyder Township, Jefferson County, according to the Dubois Barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police.

According to the police criminal complaint and affidavit, a witness told police he saw Rowe driving a golf cart at an "excessive speed," estimated to be between 35-40 MPH, while traveling down an incline and rounding a curve.

The witness also reported that Rowe was passing other carts and swerving, and that other golf course members were yelling for him to "slow down". As Rowe entered the next curve, the witness claims the golf cart briefly traveled on two wheels before rolling over.

Noting minor damage to the golf cart, police say they also saw several empty Bud Light and Leinenkugel's beer cans in the cart.

Rowe reportedly told the officer that he drank "about six beers" during a more than five-hour period since they started playing 18 holes around noon that day. The officer administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests, during which Rowe allegedly displayed clues of impairment.

Rowe was arrested for DUI and later provided breath samples at the State Police Barracks. The results indicated Rowe's Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was .094%. Pennsylvania’s legal limit for drivers is 0.08 percent.

Rowe has been superintendent since 2019 and previously served as assistant superintendent beginning in 2006.

His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Westminster College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Slippery Rock University, and a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration, a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, and a Doctor of Education degree, all from Youngstown State University.

With the preliminary hearing waived, the criminal case is now set to proceed to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas for formal arraignment and further proceedings.