A New Castle man has been charged with aggravated assault by motor vehicle for an Aug. 20 wreck at Tack’s Inn where he allegedly struck several motorcycles in the intersection.
Thomas Edward Williams, 60, of Brownhome Road, is charged with one third-degree felony count of aggravated assault by vehicle with serious bodily injury; careless driving with serious bodily injury, not carrying his insurance and registration cards, failing to stop, speeding and reckless driving.
Court records said at 12:50 p.m. Aug. 20, at the four-way intersection of U.S. Route 219 and Route 59, a Pontiac Vibe driven by Williams was traveling east on Route 59 when he made a “brief stop” at the intersection before proceeding.
He entered the intersection and struck three motorcycles, operated by Michael J. Kerlin, Randy C. Caldwell and Kenneth J. Dunn, all of which were heading northbound on Route 219, according to court records.
All three men were seriously injured. When troopers arrived on scene, CPR was being performed on Kerlin; Caldwell was lying in the parking lot of Tack’s Inn, and Dunn was lying in the northbound lane of Route 219, police said. All three were transported from the scene to Bradford Regional Medical Center with serious and life threatening injuries.
Police did not say if the men remained at BRMC or were flown to out-of-area hospitals for treatment.
However, police did indicate that Kerlin remains hospitalized, and remains in serious condition.
Near Williams nor a passenger in his car were injured, police indicated.
Williams told police at the scene that he was following a friend while traveling east on Route 59. He said he believed the intersection was a four-way stop, and made a “brief stop” before heading across Route 219. Police said he later provided a written statement, which was inconsistent.
Another motorcyclist traveling with the three who were injured, William C. Ermin, told police that Williams “blew through the stop sign,” according to court records.
On Sept. 15, police were able to interview Dunn, who said that just before the crash, he saw a pick-up truck traveling in front of Williams’ car. He said the truck made a brief stop at the stop sign, then “shot across the intersection,” the records read. Dunn said he saw Williams “gun it to keep up with the pick-up truck.”
Analysis from Williams’ car showed it was traveling 43-44 mph at the time of the crash, according to court records.
The men were traveling to Olean, N.Y., to be part of the Rally in the Valley when the motorcycles were struck, according to rally organizer Larry Penman.
Williams has yet to be arraigned on the charges. A spokesperson with Magisterial District Judge David Engman’s office in Kane said an arraignment has been scheduled.
