State Trooper Barry Searfoss Jr., of Coatesville, was off-duty when he
was driving his pickup truck in the westbound lanes of the Turnpike in Upper
Dublin Township on May 18 around 10 p.m. when he allegedly rear-ended a 1997
Lincoln Town Car that was slowing down, investigators
said.
He was on his way home from a golf outing in memory of Phebe Blessington, who was killed by
a drunk driver in 1997, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman
said.
Robin Williams of North Philadelphia was driving around 11 to 16 mph --
her car possibly breaking down -- when Searfoss -- who was going 71 to 76 mph
-- struck her from behind, according to court papers obtained by NBC10.
"Because of his level of intoxication Searfoss was not able to
maneuver his own vehicle to avoid her and he ran into the back of the
car," Ferman told reporters.
The force of impact caused Williams' Town Car to burst into flames,
killing the 21-year-old. An autopsy report revealed Williams died from multiple
blunt force injuries, thermal burns and smoke inhalation, according to PhillyBurbs.com.
"Trooper Searfoss, while off-duty, failed to abide by those
standards when he chose to get behind the wheel of his personal vehicle and
drive while under the influence of alcohol," said Trooper Huascar Rivera.
After the wreck, Ferman confirmed that her office would investigate
Searfoss for suspected DUI. The 11-year veteran of the force allegedly failed a
sobriety test after the crash with a blood-alcohol level of .188 -- more than
two times the legal limit of .08.
Ferman announced Monday morning that Searfoss, 40, was to be arraigned
Monday on homicide by vehicle charges. He was arraigned at 12:45 p.m. and
released after posting 10 percent of $50,000 bail. He also had to surrender his
passport and driver's license.
He had nothing to say to reporters outside his arraignment but his
lawyer did make a statement.
"This is a tragedy of epic proportions primarily for the family
that lost their daughter and their child," attorney Chris Hoy said.
"It's certainly not lost on Mr. Searfoss or us."
Besides homicide by vehicle and homicide by vehicle while under the
influence, Searfoss also faces DUI, careless driving and reckless driving
charges, according to court documents.
Searfoss has been on desk duty while the case was being investigated,
police said