Huntingdon Co., PA (WJAC) — State police have charged a Tyrone man for driving under the influence of drugs and causing a fatal crash that claimed the life of a Warriors Marks woman in June, according to a criminal complaint.
Investigators say 43-year-old Richard Ewing has been charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, and over a dozen other traffic and drug-related citations, according to online court documents.
Authorities say on the morning of June 14, troopers were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash along Route 350, near Mountain View Lane, in Huntingdon County.
Witnesses told police that the driver of a pickup truck, later identified as Ewing, had crashed head-on into a vehicle being driven by 59-year-old Wendy Reitz.
Troopers say Reitz was pronounced dead at the scene and upon interviewing Ewing, it appeared that he was under the influence.
Police say Ewing submitted to a blood draw, which revealed that he was under the influence of marijuana, methamphetamines and amphetamines while he was being treated for his injuries sustained in the crash.
He also admitted to smoking marijuana the night before the crash, the complaint states.
Upon further investigation, troopers say they discovered marijuana, crystal methamphetamine, Eutylone (a substitute for bath salts) and several glass smoking devices inside Ewing's truck.
Ewing was arraigned Wednesday on the above charges and is still being housed at the Blair County Prison for his involvement in a riot at the prison in November.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 5.
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