Allentown News reports 19 year old driver could face up to 7 years in jail for vehicular homicide
An Allentown News source reports that the 19 year old driver responsible for a severe two-car wreck on Route 145 that closed the highway for several hours is being charged with homicide by vehicle after an April 12th head-on crash. Initially the death of the 65 year old woman was ruled to be an accident. The Lehigh Valley Coroner’s Office said 65 year old Jennifer Ebert of Allentown died of “severe injures.”
Courtney Quinn of Walnutport was traveling north on Route 145 when she crossed the double yellow line into the southbound lane and collided with a vehicle driven by Ebert, police said. Ebert had a juvenile female in the vehicle with her.
Mechanical tools were required in an effort to release Quinn and Ebert from their vehicles. They both suffered extensive, severe injuries from the crash. Quinn and Ebert were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township. Although Ebert died, Quinn was in satisfactory condition.
Although originally reported as an accident, Courtney Quinn is now responsible for the crash on Route 145 in North Whitehall Township that killed the 65 year old woman. The 19 year old driver could face up to 7 years in jail for vehicular homicide.
Allentown News source LehighValleyLive reports that the speedometer on Quinn’s vehicle was stopped at over 70 miles per hour after the crash. The speed limit on Route 145 was 55 miles per hour. Investigators also determined that Quinn never attempted to brake or avoid the crash. There were no mechanical defects in her car that contributed to the crash. The posted speed limit on that road is 55 mph. The investigation determined there was no pre-impact evidence to suggest Quinn attempted to brake or avoid the crash, nor were there any mechanical defects in her car that contributed to the crash. There roads were in good condition when the collision occurred.
Quinn was released on $50,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 15. Quinn is also being charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and other summary traffic offenses.