Driver with suspended license charged in motorcyclist's death

A Pennsylvania man arrested last month for causing a fatal motorcycle crash recently waived his right to a preliminary hearing in court. Charges levied against the accused include homicide by vehicle, accident involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed, and accident involving death or personal injury, along with five other criminal counts.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the 29-year-old driver was in a box truck driving past the intersection of U.S. 11 and Social Island Road when he struck the 37-year-old motorcycle driver. After the collision, he fled from the scene of the crime. The motorcycle driver died as a result of the crash.

The police began their search for the driver and asked for the public's help in locating a white truck they believed was involved in the accident. Two days before they arrested the truck driver, they found the vehicle they suspected with damage to the right rear section. An anonymous tip led the police to the driver.

The man's license had been suspended previously due to a drunk driving charge. He was driving without a license at the time of the accident.

The loss of a loved one to a drunk driver takes an emotional toll on the family. Financial difficulties often arise when the deceased was the breadwinner of the family and they are left with funeral expenses or other bills that cannot be covered. Though nothing can make up for the pain and suffering they endure, family members can bring a wrongful death claim against the accused, potentially earning compensation to ease their financial burden.

Source: The Herald-Mail, "Mercersburg, Pa., man accused of hitting a motorcyclist waives preliminary hearing," Roxann Miller, April 10, 2012