The Indiana County Court will have a light schedule today, but on that schedule will be a bond revocation hearing for a man charged with Homicide by Vehicle while DUI and related crimes for the crash and fatal fire at Pikel’s Top Tier Fuels in Home just over 2 years ago.
The hearing will be for 35-year-old James Eugene Brown of Indiana, who was charged with homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, two counts of accidents involving death-not properly licensed, DUI and nine summary violations connected with that crash. Brown is accused of being behind the wheel of the car that crashed into the gas pumps at Pikel’s along Route 119 in Home and then smashing into the building. The car and building burst into flames and 52-year-old Melissa Myers of Commodore, who worked at the gas station, was trapped in the building and later died in the fire. Brown initially told police that another man, Michael White of Punxsutawney, was the one driving but later admitted to being behind the wheel at the time of the crash, and that he had taken heroin and smoked marijuana before driving.
He had posted $50,000 unsecured bond after the conditions of his bond had been changed, but today’s hearing seeks to revoke his bond. This hearing was one that was continued from a hearing originally set for June 22nd. A jury trial is slated for Septmeber 21st.
Also on the docket today is a post-sentencing motions hearing for a woman charged with theft and receiving stolen property. 50-year-old Michele Lynn Donahue of Indiana will be before Judge Thomas Bianco today for a motions hearing connected with the case that goes back to December 31st of 2018. She was found guilty in a jury trial of both charges and was ordered to serve 15 months to three years for the crimes, and to pay fines and restitution. Today’s hearing concerns the restitution payment.
Also due today for a motions hearing is Amber Marie Inzana of Cherry Tree. She was charged with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of children in September of 2018 after state police found her and her three children living in unsanitary conditions at a home along Route 580, where drug paraphernalia was found.
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