Searcy waives hearing for charges over fatal crash

Next court date set for 9:00 am, Feb 28

LEWISTOWN -- A man who is facing nearly two dozen charges related to the death of a Lewistown teen waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Jack Miller on Monday.

Homicide charges for David W. Searcy, 58, of Altoona, were waived to the Mifflin County Court of Common Pleas and his next court date is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 28.

With the victim's family present, Miller denied a motion that was requested by Searcy's attorney, Eric Harakal, of Wyomissing-based Banks Law Group, to modify bail.

Miller told Harakal that he does not set bail when a defendant has been charged with homicide.

Searcy was arraigned on homicide charges Oct. 18, following a Jan. 20 crash that occurred on U.S. Highway 522 in Wayne Township, Mifflin County. Police reports indicate Searcy attempted to pass a vehicle and failed to observe a 2007 Ford Focus driven by the victim, in the oncoming lane, striking it head on.

Following impact, Searcy lost control of the vehicle and traveled back into the northbound lane, striking another vehicle before coming to rest off the east side of the roadway. The 17-year-old's vehicle came to rest approximately 20 feet off the west side of road, according to the report.

At the time of the crash, the teenager was transported to J.C. Blair Hospital where she was then flown to Hershey Medical Center for treatment. The victim was pronounced dead on Jan. 28.

According to the criminal complaint, Searcy was transported to Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital where his blood-alcohol concentration was reported to be .027 percent. Toxicology reports also indicate that he tested positive for several components of THC in his system and Benzoylecgonine, the inactive metabolite and chemical breakdown of cocaine.

Searcy is facing felony charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle, homicide by vehicle and accidents involving death or injury while not licensed.

Searcy also faces multiple misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person; summary charges of driving without a license, driving while license is revoked, careless driving reckless driving and other traffic offenses.

He is currently incarcerated at Mifflin County Correctional Facility.