BOSWELL — The driver of a coal truck has been charged with homicide, stemming from the two-vehicle crash near Stoystown a year ago that killed a woman and injured her 3-year-old son.
Michael L. Sullivan, 37, of Friedens, was behind the wheel of a truck that slammed into the back end of a Pontiac Sunfire on state Route 30 in Quemahoning Township killing Marlana Sarver, 36, and seriously injuring her 3-year-old son, Jeremiah Springer. Sarver was making a left-hand turn onto state Route 403 when her vehicle was hit.
Sullivan was charged Wednesday with homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter.
The owner of the truck, Joseph R. Tunstall, 38, of Hollsopple, also was charged with involuntary manslaughter and permitting homicide by vehicle.
Sullivan and Tunstall were arraigned by District Judge Susan Mankamyer of Boswell and released on nonmonetary bond.
According to an accident reconstructionist, Sullivan was traveling 50 mph in a 35 mph zone. Police also said the truck was overweight and the brakes were out of adjustment. Sullivan told police at the time he believed he was driving too fast.
Tunstall told The Tribune-Democrat on Thursday that J.R. Tunstall Trucking operates eight trucks that are closely inspected before they are driven.
“It was inspected the morning before it went out, and everything was in working condition,” Tunstall said.
Tunstall said he believes the brake trouble was the result of the accident.
He said his trucks have had only a “handful” of safety violations in 10 years.
Tunstall also said Sarver was a close friend and that he knows her family well.
“Marlana was a personal friend of mine,” he said.
“This tears my heart out. It’s a man’s worst nightmare.”
Sullivan was hired just weeks before the crash and failed to return to work after the incident, Tunstall said.
There was no telephone listing for the driver.
Local News
Pair charged in fatal crash
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
