A man from Larksville admitted guilt for his involvement in a deadly accident in Edwardsville in 2021. The prosecutors reduced the charge from felony vehicular homicide to misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter.
Brentton Bailey Vandyke, 21, from Midtown Village, was charged by the police in Edwardsville for crashing his 2005 Pontiac into a 2017 Volkswagen at the entrance to Mark II Plaza on state Route 11 on Nov. 8, 2021, as indicated by court records.
A 93-year-old passenger, Rosemary Gawat, from Plymouth, passed away at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township due to injuries sustained in the crash. She was thrown out of the Volkswagen, which was being driven by her daughter, Teresa Gawat, as they were turning into the plaza’s parking lot.
A post-collision examination of Vandyke’s car showed that the left rear tire was defective, the exhaust muffler was missing, and a sway bar link was broken, which would have resulted in his vehicle failing a state inspection, as per court records.
The investigation discovered that Vandyke was driving at 66 mph when he collided with the passenger side of the Volkswagen, according to court records.
Following the accident, Vandyke underwent a blood test at the hospital, which revealed the presence of marijuana in his system, according to court records.
According to court records, police stated that speed and sunlight glare were the main factors in the crash.
Vandyke was initially charged with felony homicide by vehicle.
In a plea deal accepted by Luzerne County President Judge Michael T. Vough, the prosecutors amended the charge to misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter.
Vandyke also admitted guilt for driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
The prosecutors withdrew the traffic citations for speeding, reckless driving, and careless driving.
Vandyke is set to be sentenced on May 30.
Attorney Theron Solomon represented Vandyke.
