Today was to have been the day for the preliminary hearing of 33-year-old James Eugene Brown, who is charged with vehicular homicide in the death of a woman working at Pikel’s Top Tier Fuels on July 5th. That hearing has now been re-scheduled for August 21st.
Brown was at the wheel of a car which left Route 119 North at the intersection with Route 85 at Home, plowing over a gas pump and smashing into the store, where it burst into flames. 52-year-old Melissa Ann Myers of Commodore was trapped inside the store and was killed.
Brown is charged with six felonies, for homicide by vehicle, vehicular homicide while DUI, and two counts each of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and accidents involving death or personal injury. Additonal offenses include two counts of DUI and nine summary charges, eight of them for driving violations and the other for giving false information.
Brown suffered minor injuries in the crash. His passenger, 32-year-old Michael White of Punxsutawney, fled the scene on foot and was later apprehended by Punxsy police. He also had suffered minor injuries. He is not facing any charges.
Brown was originally listed as having no permanent address. but his criminal docket sheet now lists him as being from Rossiter. The hearing August 21st is scheduled for 1:45 PM before District Judge Susanne Steffee in Homer City.
