Centre County couple charged after drunken driving crash with 3 kids in the car
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Three children were in the car when a State College couple crashed while intoxicated.
- Driver’s BAC was measured at 0.264%.
- Both parents face child endangerment charges and preliminary hearings set for Oct. 15.
A Centre County couple was charged Monday with child endangerment after State College police said they were both drunk when they crashed with three kids in the car.
Lorn M. Ray, 41, and his wife Deborah L. Ray, 36, both of Halfmoon Township, were each charged with felony and misdemeanor counts of child endangerment. She was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of DUI and a summary traffic violation.
Deborah Ray rear-ended a driver about 10:15 p.m. Aug. 28 near the intersection of East Park Avenue and Hospital Drive, State College police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.
She appeared disoriented, confused, slurred her speech, smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes, police wrote. An officer said Ray failed sobriety tests and said she drank one alcoholic beverage. Her blood alcohol content was 0.264%, more than three times the legal limit.
Lorn Ray, police said, also had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol and knew the three children were in the back seats. All were 10 years old or younger.
A message left Wednesday afternoon with Debroah Ray’s defense lawyer was not immediately returned. Defense lawyer Matt McClenahen, who represents Lorn Ray, declined comment.
District Judge Casey McClain released Deborah Ray on $15,000 unsecured bail, while Lorn Ray was released pending his appearance at future court hearings. Each has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 15.
This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 1:33 PM.