Preliminary hearing scheduled in 2021 fatal crash in Perry Township
McKeesport man apprehended two years after charges filed
More than two years after he was charged with criminal homicide in a Perry Township crash, a McKeesport man is scheduled to go before a Fayette County district judge on Monday.
In November 2022, James Earl Davis, 41, was charged with causing the death of Hope Derry, 29, of West Mifflin, when he veered off Route 51 and hit a tree. Davis, whose last known address was in Irwin, remained on the lam until last week, though it is unclear whether he turned himself in or was picked up by police.
Charges stem from a crash on Feb. 5, 2021 in which police alleged Davis was driving a minivan while under the influence of amphetamine, methamphetamine and THC. According to a witness who was driving about a quarter of a mile behind Davis, after the van hit the tree, it flipped on its roof.
The witness told police that she stopped to help and saw Derry throwing up in the van, and Davis kept screaming that he wanted out.
Police said they found a loaded syringe and other drug paraphernalia in and near the overturned vehicle and smelled marijuana.
Both Davis and Derry were taken to the hospital, where Derry died of blunt force trauma.
Along with criminal homicide Davis is also charged with accident involving death while not licensed, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and three counts of driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
He was arraigned on Dec. 16, and denied bail in the case.