Perkasie Woman Charged In Fatal Bucks Co. Crash: DA

HILLTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA —A 26-year-old Perkasie woman was DUI when she caused a fatal crash this weekend in Hilltown Township, authorities allege. Danae Marie Swartz has been charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence following the early-morning crash that killed a Sellersville man on Dec. 16.

According to Hilltown Township Police, the two-car crash happened on Rt. 113 between Moyer Road and Hamilton Street just after 5:20 a.m.

Authorities said Swartz, who was driving a blue Honda Civic, was heading south on the road when she went out of control, crossing into the northbound lanes and hitting a car driven by Tsegai Gebremichael, 56.

Gebremichael was pronounced dead at the scene. Swartz was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said.

After an investigation, police charged Swartz with homicide by vehicle while DUI, as well as homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substance, and driving on roadways laned for traffic.

She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage of New Britain and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of posting $500,000 cash bail. She remained jailed as of Wednesday morning, court records show.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 8.

Image via Bucks County DA