A Bellefonte-area woman was charged on Tuesday with homicide by vehicle while DUI for an April crash in Spring Township that killed a 76-year-old man.
Meghan J. Horner, 31, of Marion Township, was driving under the influence of THC, amphetamine and an opioid prescription medication at around noon on April 28 along the 1000 block of Blanchard Street when she crossed into the opposite lane and struck a sedan driven by Andrew Swarm, of Bellefonte, head on, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Spring Township police.
Swarm was taken to UPMC Altoona, where he died from injuries suffered in the crash. Horner, who was ejected through the windshield, told investigators she sustained a broken back, broken neck and head laceration.
Horner was driving an SUV southbound at the crest of a hill on a wet road when she lost control of the vehicle and crossed into the southbound lane, striking Swarm’s car, police determined based on crash reconstruction and witness statements. The investigation found Horner was driving 61 to 66 mph five seconds before the crash and 57 mph one second before the crash in a 40 mph zone, according to the affidavit
Police found among debris at the scene and a later search of Horner’s vehicle THC vape pens and marijuana paraphernalia, as well as a prescription nervous system stimulant, police wrote. Horner allegedly told police she had last smoked marijuana within three days of the crash, but a blood test found varying levels of THC, which is the active component of marijuana, amphetamine and the opioids buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine, according to the affidavit.
Horner also opened an auto insurance policy after the date of the crash, police wrote. She allegedly claimed to the insurance company that the crash occurred on May 5 and involved only her vehicle.
Horner is charged with felony counts of homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle and false insurance claim, four misdemeanor counts of DUI, misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and five summary traffic violations.
She was arraigned on Tuesday by District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker and posted $50,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Dec. 13.
