Elderly man goes to court on homicide by vehicle charge
In a brief proceeding Thursday morning in Washington County Court, Arthur Peter Ginglardi of the Mon Valley was formally arraigned and informed of a timetable as his case proceeds in the homicide by vehicle death of Darla Jean Cook, a passenger in a caravan of motorcyclists.
Judge Michael Lucas, who allowed Ginglardi, 74, to remain seated at counsel table rather than stand before him, told Assistant Public Defender Katherine Bacher, who represents Ginglardi, and Deputy District Attorney Jason Walsh he will schedule a pretrial conference for October.
Cook, 51 of Washington, was a member of the Harley Owner Group Chapter 1928, for which she had been chapter secretary. She was employed in the accounting department of The Meadows Racetrack & Casino.
The defendant and four others were injured in the June 12, 2016, crash on Route 136 near Lusk Road.
Ginglardi, in an interview last summer with state police, claimed a rabbit crossed his path, causing his vehicle to swerve and collide with three motorcycles.
A member of the entourage at the time of the accident said about 20 motorcycles were traveling east toward Ligonier on a run as members of the Harley group.
In addition to felony charges of homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle, Ginglardi is charged with misdemeanor simple assault and summary offenses related to disregarding a traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and reckless driving.
Ginglardi, formerly of Second Street, Monongahela, remains free on $25,000 unsecured bond.
He is living in a personal care home.