Drunk Driver Charged In 2 Accidents, Hours Apart
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The driver who faces charges for killing a cyclist in Kensington Friday night was also arrested the day before for driving under the influence, according to police.
Authorities say 22-year-old Brett Truskin of Ivyland, Pa. was stopped by police while driving on I-95 on Thursday, sent to jail and released on bail early Friday morning.
At about 6:30 Friday evening, police say Truskin was driving around Kensington intoxicated when he struck 49-year-old Gregory Loper, a husband and father of 11 children, near the intersection of Lehigh Avenue and Jasper Street.
Nicole Gerner tells CBS-3 Eyewitness News she came to help the 49-year-old victim, but there was nothing she could do.
"He didn't have a helmet on, but the impact was so bad it might not have even helped."
Loper was on his way home from work and since he didn't arrive on time, his wife Tanya Cuffee went to check out the accident scene. She found his sock and hat under a car. His bike was in pieces on the road.
"How would you feel if your kids had to grow up without their father, never seeing him?" shouted Cuffee.
Loper was pronounced dead at Hahnemann University Hospital about 30 minutes after the crash.
Investigators say Truskin also struck four parked cars and another vehicle driven by a 52-year-old man who was transported to Temple University Hospital with back and stomach pain.
Witnesses say after the crash, Truskin tried to run away but was caught by a man who held him until police arrived.
Truskin is charged with DUI and involuntary manslaughter, as well as other charges. His bail is set at $475,000.
Reported By Jericka Duncan, CBS 3; Robin Rieger, CBS 3; Mike Dougherty, KYW Newsradio
