Centre County woman charged with vehicular homicide while DUI in death of Bellefonte man
A Centre County woman was arrested Tuesday after investigators accused her of speeding and driving under the influence of drugs when she caused a head-on crash that killed a Bellefonte man.
Meghan J. Horner, 31, of Marion Township, was driving at least 57 mph in a 40 mph zone when she crossed into the northbound lane in the 1000 block of Blanchard Street, Spring Township police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.
It was raining and the road was wet at the time of the April crash, police wrote. Horner slammed her SUV head-on into a sedan driven by Andrew Swarm, a 76-year-old veteran remembered in his obituary as someone who “loved his community.”
He was a member of the Milesburg Lions Club and served in the Army for nearly four decades before he was honorably discharged. He was married and a father of three.
“He was known for planting a wonderful garden and most of the produce that he grew was given away to family and friends, especially his garlic,” his obituary read. “Andrew found joy in spending time with family and friends, particularly his daily coffee time with his friends.”
Swarm died at UPMC Altoona of a broken neck, police said. A forensic pathologist told investigators Swarm did not have any medical emergency prior to the crash. His death, the pathologist said, was a direct result of the crash.
Horner, who was ejected from her SUV, was seriously injured in the crash. She was transported by ambulance to UPMC Altoona for treatment of injuries that included a broken back and neck, police wrote.
She tested positive for several drugs, including the compound that gives pot its high and a synthetic opioid. Investigators found multiple vaping devices and other drug paraphernalia near the crash and in her vehicle, police wrote.
Horner was also accused of fraudulently submitting an insurance claim. She told an insurance company the crash happened a week later than it did and claimed she hydroplaned and hit a telephone pole in a single-vehicle crash, police wrote. Her claim was denied.
Horner was charged with one felony count of vehicular homicide while DUI, vehicular homicide and submitting a fraudulent insurance claim. She’s also facing 13 other lesser charges, including four misdemeanor counts of DUI. No defense lawyer was listed.
Horner was arraigned Tuesday by District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker, who set bail at $50,000. She was released from the Centre County Correctional Facility after she obtained bail through a bondsman.
Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 13.
There were seven fatal crashes between 2013 and 2022 in Spring Township, state Transportation Department data showed. There were 12 such crashes in Rush Township, the most of any municipality in Centre County.