Jason Crowell, 23, of 808 Park Ave., Tyrone, was returned to Huntingdon County Jail after his preliminary hearing was held last week at the office of Magisterial District Judge Daniel Davis. Crowell is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. He is charged withalcohol-related homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, speeding and driving while under suspension.
He was the alleged driver in a fatal crash that claimed the life of Sharon Marie Reed, 18, of Warriors Mark Township April 14 near Colerain Park, Route 45. Attorney Thomas Forr of Blair County is representing Crowell.
Judge Davis found a prima facia case for the commonwealth against Crowell and bound all charges over for trial. District Attorney Robert Stewart III said a trial could be scheduled for perhaps September or November. The penalty sentence for a homicide by vehicle by DUI conviction is three years.
Mrs. Reed, the mother of two sons, accompanied Crowell and Duane Day,23, of Tyrone, owner of the 1996 Mitsubishi, on a ride the night of the crash. Alcohol had already been consumed by Crowell and Day, according to information presented by state police at Huntingdon. Crowell’s blood alcohol content was found to be 14 percent about three hours after the crash.
Mrs. Reed’s juvenile brother was also in the vehicle and was also allegedly consuming alcohol. Mrs. Reed and Day were not wearing seat belts and were ejected from the back seat through the back window of the car. As it went off the highway and rolled after hitting a tree, she became partially pinned under the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
