by peter e. bortner
ORWIGSBURG - A Lake Wynonah man is headed to Schuylkill County Court to face 10 charges stemming from a February accident in Wayne Township that claimed the life of his fiancee.
Eric A. Mitchell, 19, of 1564 Stag Drive, Auburn, must defend against one count each of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, DUI, recklessly endangering another person, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving and two counts each of aggravated assault and aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier ruled at the end of Tuesday's preliminary hearing.
Ferrier ordered all charges held for the county court, but allowed Mitchell to remain free on $15,000 unsecured bail.
State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Mitchell was under the influence of marijuana when he was driving north on Route 183 at 9:49 a.m. Feb. 15 at Lutz Valley Road in Reedsville.
Police said Mitchell lost control of his car, a Mazda 3, crossed into the southbound lane and collided with a Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck being driven by Tina Walker, Fredericksburg.
Courtney L. Hengen, 22, of Auburn, Mitchell's fiancee and front-seat passenger, died shortly after arrival at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, where she had been flown after the accident, police said.
Walker and her passenger, William W. Walker II, Fredericksburg, had to be flown to Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, for treatment of major and moderate injuries, respectively, police said.
Mitchell and his infant passenger, Ryan A. Mitchell, Auburn, suffered minor injuries in the accident and were taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for treatment, according to police.
Each vehicle sustained disabling damage in the accident, police said.
Friedensburg and Summit Station firefighters and Pottsville-Schuylkill Haven EMS assisted at the accident scene.Defendant: Eric A. Mitchell
Age: 19
Residence: Lake Wynonah
Charges: Two counts each of aggravated assault and aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and one each of homicide by vehicle while DUI, DUI, recklessly endangering another person, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving