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Spring Creek man charged in Sept. vehicular death

A Spring Creek man has been charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI in a crash that took the life of a Titusville teenager in September.

Timothy J. Doerfer, 25, of Spring Creek, is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol; aggravated assault by vehicle by DUI; aggravated assault by vehicle; homicide by vehicle; DUI — first offense; DUI: highest rate — first offense; and nine summary counts.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, Doerfer was the driver of an ATV on Old Route 77 east of Picadilly Hill Road at about 3 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16.

Hannah A. Wright, 19, of Titusville, was a passenger on the ATV, according to police, when it struck a deer and then a parked truck.

Wright was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Doerfer was taken to Corry Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

A warrant for his arrest was issued on Tuesday.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, witnesses told police that Doerfer left a party where he had been drinking alcoholic beverages about a half-mile from the crash site.

A witness said she walked with Wright to the ATV and “begged (her) not to get on the ATV due to defendant being intoxicated,” according to the affidavit. “She observed (Doerfer) drive away from the camp with (Wright) as passenger.”

Police obtained a warrant for a blood sample from Doerfer, according to the affidavit. That sample yielded a BAC of 0.184.

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