Wrong-way driver in Pa. fatal crash seeks to quash blood test results
LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County motorist accused of killing a father and his unborn child in a wrong-way driving accident wants all evidence, including blood alcohol test results obtained through a search warrant, quashed.
Dwight L. Meyer, 29, of Lock Haven, in a motion filed Monday in Clinton County court, contends he was under the influence of strong painkillers in UPMC Williamsport when a state trooper elicited from him information used to obtain the warrant to conduct a blood test.
The charges allege Meyer’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit about 6:20 p.m. on April 9 when he was driving the wrong way on Route 220 in the Lock Haven area.
His vehicle collided with one driven by Amanda Geiswhite, 29, of Loganton, who was 20 weeks pregnant. Her husband, Evan, 29, was a passenger.
Amanda Geiswhite suffered serious injuries and was flown to Geisinger Medical Center near Danville, where the unborn child was declared dead.
Her husband experienced trauma arrest at the scene and was transported to UPMC Lock Haven, where he was pronounced dead.
Meyer’s charges include third-degree murder in relation to the two deaths.
His court-appointed attorney, Timothy A.B. Reitz, claims Meyer, at the time of the trooper interview, was unaware of the circumstances because he was on strong painkillers following surgery for a ruptured bladder.
He contends his client did not have the mental faculties to consent to a waiver of rights.
The motion to quash also points out:
— Bodycam footage recorded Meyer mumbling and failing to focus during the interview.
— A neurological assessment was performed that day, also because Meyer was unable to recall events before surgery.
— A medical note stated: “Patient seemed confused and could not remember the incident or the chaplain visiting, or even family visiting.”
The arrest affidavit states Meyer told the trooper in the hospital interview:
He had fought with his girlfriend in Castanea and, on his way back to her residence, took the wrong turn and drove south in the northbound lanes of the four-lane divided highway.
He decided to keep driving in the wrong direction until he reached a crossover for emergency vehicles and did not consider driving on the shoulder as an option.
Police said a dash camera video obtained from another vehicle showed Meyer passed 12 vehicles driving the wrong way before colliding head-on with the Geiswite car, police said.
Meyer admitted to consuming four or five cans of 12-ounce beer and using a vape device he thought contained nicotine, not marijuana, before driving, the affidavit states.
Laboratory results showed Meyer’s blood alcohol level was .215 percent compared with .08 being the legal limit to drive, police said. Two empty marijuana vape cartridge packages and a vape pen were found in the car, they said.
Besides the two counts of third-degree murder, Meyer is charged with homicide by vehicle, vehicular homicide while under the influence, aggravated assault and aggravated assault on an unborn child.
Also, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, 12 counts of recklessly endangering another person, driving under the influence and multiple Vehicle Code violations.
Meyer is being held in the Clinton County Correctional Facility without bail.
