Published: December 04, 2008 11:21 pm      

Pair charged in fatal crash

BOSWELL — The driver of a coal truck has been charged with homicide, stemming from the two-vehicle crash near Stoystown a year ago that killed a woman and injured her 3-year-old son.

Michael L. Sullivan, 37, of Friedens, was behind the wheel of a truck that slammed into the back end of a Pontiac Sunfire on state Route 30 in Quemahoning Township killing Marlana Sarver, 36, and seriously injuring her 3-year-old son, Jeremiah Springer. Sarver was making a left-hand turn onto state Route 403 when her vehicle was hit.

Sullivan was charged Wednesday with homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter.

The owner of the truck, Joseph R. Tunstall, 38, of Hollsopple, also was charged with involuntary manslaughter and permitting homicide by vehicle.

Sullivan and Tunstall were arraigned by District Judge Susan Mankamyer of Boswell and released on nonmonetary bond.

According to an accident reconstructionist, Sullivan was traveling 50 mph in a 35 mph zone. Police also said the truck was overweight and the brakes were out of adjustment. Sullivan told police at the time he believed he was driving too fast.

Tunstall told The Tribune-Democrat on Thursday that J.R. Tunstall Trucking operates eight trucks that are closely inspected before they are driven.

“It was inspected the morning before it went out, and everything was in working condition,” Tunstall said.

Tunstall said he believes the brake trouble was the result of the accident.

He said his trucks have had only a “handful” of safety violations in 10 years.

Tunstall also said Sarver was a close friend and that he knows her family well.

“Marlana was a personal friend of mine,” he said.

“This tears my heart out. It’s a man’s worst nightmare.”

Sullivan was hired just weeks before the crash and failed to return to work after the incident, Tunstall said.

There was no telephone listing for the driver.