Police: Driver charged was in mid-text when he killed biker
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UNIONTOWN (AP) – State police said a Western Pennsylvania man was in the middle of a text message when he crashed into a motorcycle, killing its driver.
The defense attorney for 53-year-old Thomas Rich, of Smithfield, declined comment Friday on homicide by vehicle, texting-while driving and other charges filed in the May 1, 2013 death of 28-year-old Brian Humbert.
One of Humber’s relatives already sued Rich and settled that case, but the file was sealed by a Fayette County judge.
Police said Rich was driving on U.S. Route 119 when he hit Humbert’s motorcycle near the Route 21 off ramp in South Union Township about 6:40 p.m. that day.
Police said Rich acknowledged texting shortly before the crash but denied doing so at the time – but police said they later found a half-written text that hadn’t been sent.