Thomas Earl Cole, Monaca, Pennsylvania man arrested in fatal DUI hit and run crash of third grade Rochester boy riding his bike in Beaver County.
Rochester police in Pennsylvania have arrested a DUI hit and run driver who struck and killed a third grade boy riding his bike in Beaver County before fleeing the scene.
Authorities said the boy was riding his bicycle around 4:50 p.m. April 24 in the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue near Lacock Street when a Chevrolet truck hit him and left the area without stopping.
A criminal complaint states the crash was caught on video. Cameras captured a black truck turning right and colliding with the child on a bike, but not stopping. That truck was registered to 53-year-old Monaca, PA man, Thomas Earl Cole.
DUI fatal hit and run driver breath smelt of booze
Emergency crews responded and the child was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to county officials. The boy was estimated to be between 10 and 12 years old. Rochester School District officials told local media the victim was a third-grade student at the district’s elementary school.
Rochester police arrested Cole after identifying his vehicle.
During questioning, officers noted Cole’s breath smelling like alcohol. Police said Cole told investigators he was in the area trying to find his way home because of a road closure. He said that he felt a bump but only saw a pile of rocks when he looked back, CBS News reported.
He was being held without bail at the Beaver County Jail on felony charges of homicide by vehicle while DUI and causing an accident involving a death.
Cole remains held without bond, WPXI reported. A preliminary hearing is set for May 7.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched for the deceased boy, to help cover funeral arrangements and burial costs.
