May 8, 2003 By Patty Shultz 2 min read

BULLSKIN TWP. – A Ruffsdale man has been charged for the March death of a Fairchance man. Michael R. Geyer, 33, was arraigned Wednesday on three felony charges, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and homicide by vehicle, a single misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving at unsafe speeds and reckless driving summary charges.

The charges, filed by state police at Uniontown, stem from a March 26 accident along Route 119 in which Geyer allegedly struck a vehicle occupied by Robert Hyland Jr. while Hyland was waiting for the traffic signal to change from red to green.

Hyland suffered blunt force trauma to the head and later died from his head injuries.

Before District Justice Robert Breakiron set the bond amount, Geyer’s legal counsel, attorney William Wiker, noted that his client had family responsibilities and ties to the community, and he asked the magistrate to give consideration to those factors.

“He is not a flight risk,” said Wiker. “He has cooperated with the police and he is here today.”

Breakiron set the percentage bond at $30,000, which Geyer paid after the hearing.

According to police, Hyland was stopped in the northbound lane at the Route 119 and Kingview Road intersection when Geyer, who was driving a GMC van, struck him in the rear.

Police estimated that Geyer was traveling 64 mph when he hit Hyland’s pickup truck. The listed speed limit along the roadway is 55 mph. Toxicology test results indicate Geyer’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the accident was .16 percent, exceeding the state legal intoxication limit of .1 percent, said police.

Geyer faces a May 13 preliminary hearing before Breakiron.