Indian Head man charged in fatal accident
State police filed charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence against an Indian Head man in connection with a Nov. 12 accident along Route 31 in Bullskin Township. Darwin M. Kalp, 51, of 259 Jockey Knob Road was not in custody when police issued a release about the case Wednesday. Kalp allegedly caused the accident along Three Mile Hill that killed Daniel E. Keller.
Alcohol, alleged police, played a role in the fatal crash. Although police did not list Kalp’s specific blood-alcohol, trooper Christopher Terrana alleged that it was above the legal limit for driving in Pennsylvania. A doctor who examined Kalp after the accident also told police that he smelled of alcohol.
In addition to homicide by vehicle while DUI, Kalp is also charged with homicide by vehicle, DUI, and several driving-related summaries.
In his criminal affidavit, Terrana said that Kalp was traveling westbound on Route 31, which accommodates a single lane of traffic. Keller, said police, was in the eastbound passing lane.
Kalp allegedly “… accelerated faster than the flow of westbound traffic and passed several westbound vehicles while traveling west in the eastbound passing lane,” alleged Terrana.
While he was in the eastbound lane, Kalp allegedly hit Keller’s vehicle head-on. Keller’s vehicle spun and hit a guardrail, said police.
The criminal complaint lists four witnesses to the accident, two others who came upon the scene who tried to aid Keller.
Since Kalp is not in custody, Terrana’s report asks that anyone with information on his whereabouts call the barracks at 724-439-7111.