A Pottsville man has been charged with homicide by vehicle for a fatal crash that occurred in October 2017.
According to Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky, on Tuesday June 5, 2018 Chad Bainbridge, 41, of Pottsville was arraigned by Magisterial District J Reiley as a result of his involvement in a motor vehicle accident that occurred around 8:15pm on October 12, 2017 on Claude A Lord Boulevard (Route 61) at the Union Street intersection.
Charles Maurer, 80, of Pottsville died from injuries he sustained in the accident.
The ensuing investigation that included accident reconstruction, interviews, lab testing and analysis of available video footage in the area, showed that Bainbridge had been operating his black 1999 Ford Mustang southbound on Claude A Lord Boulevard at a high rate of speed and without his headlights on when he struck Maurer’s 2003 Kia Rio as Maurer, who had been travelling northbound on Route 61, began to make a left turn onto Union Street.
The impact caused a secondary collision between Maurer’s car and a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix being operated by an 18 year old Pottsville woman who had been driving behind Maurer on Route 61 travelling northbound. The Pottsville woman was not injured.
Subsequent lab testing results showed Bainbridge had a significant amount of Methamphetamine in his blood at the time of the accident and police also learned that he had been in possession of Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at the time of the accident.
The investigation involved a cooperative effort between the Pottsville Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police Reconstruction and Forensic Service Units.
In a criminal complaint completed by Captain John Morrow and Patrolman Jonathan Randolph, Bainbridge was charged with Homicide by Vehicle While DUI, Aggravated Assault While DUI, Involuntary Manslaughter, Driving Under the Influence (controlled substance), Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Reckless Driving, Periods for Required Lamps, and Driving Vehicle at Safe Speed.
Following arraignment Bainbridge was locked up in Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail pending further court action.
Subsequent lab testing results showed Bainbridge had a significant amount of Methamphetamine in his blood at the time of the accident and police also learned that he had been in possession of Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at the time of the accident.
The investigation involved a cooperative effort between the Pottsville Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police Reconstruction and Forensic Service Units.
In a criminal complaint completed by Captain John Morrow and Patrolman Jonathan Randolph, Bainbridge was charged with Homicide by Vehicle While DUI, Aggravated Assault While DUI, Involuntary Manslaughter, Driving Under the Influence (controlled substance), Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Reckless Driving, Periods for Required Lamps, and Driving Vehicle at Safe Speed.
Following arraignment Bainbridge was locked up in Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail pending further court action.