COUDERSPORT — Coudersport man Derrick Gleason has been convicted of causing the death of two women in a car crash in September 2015 in Wharton Township, Potter County.
According to District Attorney Andy Watson, a trial was held in Potter County Court Monday through Wednesday, and a jury deliberated for about three hours before convicting Gleason, 32, of all charges.
At 7:22 p.m. Sept. 18, 2015, Gleason was operating a 2003 Kia Spectra. In his car were Jessica McKay, 34, of Port Allegany, in the front seat, and Colleen Ackley-Churchill, 31, of Coudersport, in the back seat. Gleason was driving between 85 and 90 mph while traveling north on Route 872. Gleason entered a right-hand curve in a no-passing zone, traveling north in the southbound lane while trying to pass another vehicle. At the same time, a Jeep Wrangler driven by Steven Wimer of Lancaster was traveling south in the southbound lane, and the vehicles struck head-on, according to Watson. The speed of Gleason’s vehicle at the time of impact was estimated at around 56 mph.
“As a result, both female passengers were killed and the driver of the Jeep suffered serious bodily injury,” Watson said in a prepared statement.
Gleason was found guilty of two counts of vehicular homicide; two counts of aggravated assault; one count of criminal mischief; two counts of involuntary manslaughter; one count each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person; three counts of careless driving; and one count each of reckless driving, disregarding traffic lanes, speeding, failing to keep right, limitations of driving on the left and passing when it was unsafe.
Watson prosecuted the case, while defense counsel was Richard McCoy of Wellsboro, a court-appointed attorney. Judge John B. Leete presided over the trial.
A sentencing data has yet to be set. Gleason remains incarcerated in state prison at State Correctional Institution at Benner Township on parole violations.
Watson thanked arresting Troop Stephanie Makin, Cpl. Sean Batterson and Spl. Steven Schmit, as well as the other witnesses who testified at trial.
