LANCASTER, Pa. — A Danville man charged in connection with a fatal September DUI crash that killed his passenger will face trial in county court following a preliminary hearing this week, officials said.
Apar Shirishkumar Patel, 36, of 2nd Street in Danville, is accused of driving under the influence when his vehicle crashed into a tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder of Route 283 in East Hempfield Township on the night of September 8. The crash claimed the life of his 33-year-old passenger, Karra Clevenger.
Judge Brian Chudzik ruled Monday that Patel’s case will proceed to the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas on charges including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, two counts of DUI, and four summary traffic offenses.
During the hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that Patel had a blood alcohol content of .134% shortly after the crash. Testimony from East Hempfield Township police officers revealed that Patel admitted to being the driver after initially claiming Clevenger was behind the wheel. Police said Patel had no memory of the crash but reacted emotionally when informed that Clevenger had died.
Crash reconstruction indicated that Patel’s vehicle drifted off the road and struck the disabled tractor-trailer without attempting to stop. Investigators determined the vehicle was mechanically sound and had no defects. The crash caused catastrophic damage to the passenger-side seatbelt, leading to Clevenger being ejected from the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple traumatic injuries, according to an autopsy report.
Patel, who posted $250,000 cash bail, awaits trial on charges stemming from the collision.