Fayette man accused of driving drunk, killing motorcyclist
A Grindstone man is accused of drunken driving in a Thursday night crash that killed a motorcyclist in Jefferson Township.
Roger Cline, 63, said he had between five and seven shots of whiskey shortly before the crash on Grindstone Road that killed 35-year-old Jacob Wolfe of Grindstone, charging documents stated.
State police troopers were called to the scene of a crash with entrapment around 10:29 p.m., dispatchers said.
Police said Cline’s Chevrolet Equinox showed heavy front-end damage and its front airbags had deployed.
Cline told police he had been driving about 20 mph when he saw Wolfe coming around the corner, the complaint said. Charging documents stated Cline crossed the center line.
After impact, police said, he drove about another 10 feet with Wolfe beneath the vehicle.
Wolfe was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Fayette County coroner’s office.
Troopers noted Cline had bloodshot and glassy eyes, and had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, according to the criminal complaint.
After declining a field sobriety test, Cline took a preliminary breath test, which indicated he had alcohol in his system, the complaint said. Police also saw a pill bottle in plain view in the front driver seat.
Cline is charged with homicide by vehicle, along with a related homicide charge of driving under the influence. He also faces several misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence, including for driving with a blood-alcohol level between 0.10% and 0.16%,
Judge Richard Kasunic denied bail for Cline based on the seriousness of the charges and the potential threat to the community from driving under the influence.
Cline’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5.