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Spring Creek man pleads in 2018 death of Titusville woman

A Spring Creek man has pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter for his role in the September 2018 ATV crash that claimed the life of a 19-year-old Titusville woman.

Timothy J. Doerfer, 26, entered the plea before Judge Gregory Hammond on Monday.

He pled no contest to involuntary manslaughter, DUI: High rate of alcohol — third offense, failure to operate in a safe manner, reckless driving and operating a snow mobile/atv on streets and highways.

Doerfer’s attorney, Rob Kinnear, said that his client wished to plead no contest because he “has no recollection” of the incident due to injuries he sustained in the accident.

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, 2018.

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.

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.”

In exchange for the plea, the following charges were not prosecuted by the Commonwealth: Aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle, homicide by vehicle, DUI: General impairment/incapable of safe driving — third offense, unlawful operation – registration certificate, unlawful operation — registration decal or plate, unlawful operation — snow/atv without a helmet and unlawful operation – snow/atv at unsafe speed.

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