CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – A 22-year-old Parker man was jailed yesterday on Felony Murder, Homicide by Vehicle, and other related charges in connection with a September 7 UTV rollover crash that resulted in the death of a St. Petersburg man.
PSP Clarion Officers Dispatched to Crash Scene
Clarion-based State Police say around 2:42 a.m., on Sunday, September 7, 22-year-old Kyle Bailey, of Parker, was traveling north on Keefer Road when he failed to negotiate a right-hand turn and drove off the left side of the roadway.
Bailey’s Polaris RZR Side-by-Side impacted a tree stump, causing the vehicle to roll over an unknown number of times before coming to a rest.
Jeremy Slaugenhoup, 28, of St. Petersburg, a passenger in the UTV, was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the vehicle.
Prior to PSP Clarion arrival, both the operator and passenger had been transported from the scene by EMS.
According to a criminal complaint, during the crash investigation, Trooper Norris allegedly found approximately 15, 8 oz. Bud Light Raz-Ber-Ritas cans and 4, 12 oz. Bud Light beer cans scattered among the crash scene. There allegedly was also an empty cooler next to the vehicle and a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the inside of the vehicle.
PSP Clarion Interviews Kyle Bailey on September 7
The complaint stated that around 4:25 a.m. Trooper Norris interviewed Kyle Bailey at the Clarion Emergency Room. Bailey indicated that he was driving, the side-by-side was his, and that he hit an unknown object and rolled the vehicle.
Trooper Norris indicated that a strong odor of alcohol emanated from Bailey during the interview.
PSP Clarion Interviews Witness #1 on September 8
At approximately 10:40 a.m. on September 8, Trooper Norris interviewed Witness #1, the first person on the crash scene.
Witness #1 told police that he was at the Parker House and saw Slaugenhoup, who was a friend of his.
He stated that Slaugenhoup asked him if they could follow Bailey home in his side-by-side, so he and Slaugenhoup then followed Bailey and a passenger in Bailey’s vehicle.
He told investigators that as they were traveling east on State Route 368 from Parker, Bailey was driving all over the roadway. At the intersection of SR 368 and Keefer Road, they signaled Bailey in the side-by-side and both vehicles stopped.
At that time, Slaugenhoup exited Witness #1’s Navigator and tried to get Bailey to let him drive due to his intoxicated state.
Witness #1 stated that Bailey refused to let Slaugenhoup drive, so Slaugenhoup got into the side-by-side as a passenger.
Witness #1 told police that Bailey took off at a high rate of speed, traveling north on Keefer Road.
Witness #1 then found Bailey in the roadway. Bailey told him that he had wrecked; then, Witness #1 found the crash scene and Slaugenhoup unresponsive.
Slaugenhoup’s Family Transports Him to Golden Living on September 10
On September 10, Slaugenhoup’s family decided to discontinue care for Slaugenhoup, as he would not recover from his injuries. He was transported to the Golden Living Center in Clarion where he died around 11:57 p.m. on September 10.
On September 12, Slaugenhoup’s autopsy was conducted at the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office, Clarion County Coroner Terry Schaffer was in attendance for the autopsy.
His preliminary results indicated that Slaugenhoup died from blunt force trauma to the head from injuries suffered in the crash.
PSP Clarion Obtains Search Warrant for Bailey’s Medical Records on September 15
On September 15, Trooper Norris ascertained a search warrant to obtain a copy of Bailey’s medical records, including his Blood Alcohol Content.
The records indicate that his BAC was .211, which was drawn around 5:14 a.m. on September 7.
PSP Clarion Interviews Witness #2 on September 18
On September 18, officers interviewed Witness #2 at PSP Clarion.
Witness #2 stated that he and Bailey were riding in Bailey’s ATV, when Bailey said he wanted to go to the Parker House and play pool.
Witness #2 told police that Bailey started drinking and became intoxicated. He told Bailey he wanted to leave.
Both men exited the Parker House to leave, and Witness #2 argued with Bailey to let him drive, but Bailey refused.
Witness #2 told investigators that Witness #1 and Slaugenhoup came outside and said they were going to follow them, and as they traveled on SR 368, he had to tell Bailey to slow down several times.
Witness #2 said that after Witness #1 flashed his headlights, Bailey pulled over.
At that time, Witness #2 got out of Bailey’s ATV and got into Witness #1’s Navigator.
Slaugenhoup tried to persuade Bailey to let him drive, but Bailey refused.
At this point, Slaugenhoup became the passenger in Bailey’s vehicle.
Witness #2 told investigators that Bailey took off at a high rate of speed, and that Witness #1 (the driver of the Navigator) could not keep up.
Bailey Charged on October 23 with Murder of the Third Degree, Homicide by Vehicle While DUI
Bailey was arraigned yesterday at Magisterial District Judge Jeffery C. Miller’s office on the following charges:
– Murder Of The Third Degree, Felony 1
– Homicide By Vehicle While Dr Under The Influence, Felony 2
– DUI: Gen Imp/Inc of Driving Safely – 1st Off, Misdemeanor
– DUI: Highest Rte of Alcohol (BAC .16+), Misdemeanor
– Involuntary Manslaughter, Misdemeanor
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor
– Unlawful Operation – Registered Decal Or Plate, Summary (2 counts)
– Unlawful Operate Snow/Atv Under Influence, Summary
– Dr Unregistered Vehicle, Summary
– Fail To Keep Right, Summary
– Driving at Safe Speed, Summary
– Careless Driving, Summary
– Restrictions on Alcoholic Beverages, Summary
– Operation On Streets And Highways, Summary
Bailey is confined to the Clarion County Jail. Bail was denied due to the nature of the charges.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 28 at 2:45 p.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller.
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