Washington man charged in vehicular assault while on duty as police officer
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A former Bridgeville police officer from Washington is being charged for striking a woman with his patrol vehicle in December.
Allegheny County Police Department charged Daine Lower, 25, last week with a felony of aggravated assault by vehicle.
According to the criminal complaint, shortly before 1 a.m. Dec. 21 Lower was driving his vehicle east on Bower Hill Road when he struck Patricia Stauffer while attempting to turn left onto Commercial Street.
Stauffer, 25, was taken by ambulance to UPMC Mercy Hospital with head trauma.
Bridgeville police initially called upon the police department in Collier Township to handle the investigation, but Collier soon turned the case over to Allegheny County police.
According to the complaint, Stauffer was at least halfway through walking in the crosswalk at Commercial Street when Lower began turning. Police said Lower hit her while traveling about 29 mph.
Investigators reviewed dash camera footage from Lower’s vehicle and found that he apparently was using his cellphone to watch a video on the internet while driving, according to court documents. The complaint notes at the time of the collision, both of Lower’s hands were on the wheel at the time of the collision, but that the video still appeared to be playing on his phone.
Bridgeville police Chief Chad King said Lower was placed on paid administrative leave that evening, and resigned from the department in mid-February.
In an emailed statement, King wrote that his department “cooperated fully” with county detectives throughout the investigation.
According to King, he has stayed in contact with Stauffer’s family and she has a “hopeful prognosis.”
“We continue to provide our thoughts, prayers and support, and we look forward to providing whatever assistance they may need, however we can,” King said.
King declined further comment on the incident, citing ongoing litigation.
Lower was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Jack Kobistek, who released him on $5,000 unsecured bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 15.