MILFORD - Pennsylvania State Police have filed charges in a fatal motor vehicle crash which occurred on April 30, 2011, on SR 2001 in Dingman Township, based upon a presentment of the Pike County Investigating Grand Jury.

Jeffrey Emerson, 19, of Milford, is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle, homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, and multiple traffic violations.

The Grand Jury investigated the circumstances surrounding the collision and determined that Emerson was acting in a reckless manner by speeding and unlawfully passing, which caused the death of William Thiel.  Emerson allegedly was driving his vehicle on SR 2001 towards Milford on April 30th of this year. While driving behind another vehicle Emerson decided, against the warning of a passenger in his vehicle, to pass the vehicle in front of him. The area where Emerson passed the other vehicle was on an uphill area of SR 2001. When returning to the proper lane of travel, Emerson went off the roadway and struck a guide rail. Emerson’s vehicle then crossed over into the opposite lane of travel and collided with a car driven by Thiel.

The Pennsylvania State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit conducted an investigation revealed Emerson’s vehicle was traveling between 69 miles per hour and 74 miles per hour when his vehicle began sliding towards the guide rail.  The posted speed limit in the area of SR 2001 where the collision occurred was 35 miles per hour.

Emerson is free on his own recognizance pending a preliminary hearing on January 18.