6-Time DUI Offender Who Killed Delco Woman Resentenced

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA — The man who during his sixth driving under the influence instance killed a Delaware County woman has been resentenced in court on a technical issue, according to a news report.

David Strowhouer, 33, of Newtown Square, Monday was given a new sentence after his initial sentence of 25-and-a-half to 51 years was vacated by a Superior Court Judge on the heels of an appeal by Strowhouer.

Strowhouer now will spend 24 to 51 years in prison for the Feb. 16, 2019 crash that killed Deana Eckman, who now has a repeat DUI law named after her passing through Harrisburg.

According to the Delaware County Daily Times, the new sentence stems from Judge Mary Alice Brennan's sentencing which Strowhouer argued Brennan failed to state the permissible sentencing ranges or indicate she was sentencing Strowhouer outside of the aggravated range of the aggravated assault charge.

The court agreed with the appeal but upheld Strowhouer's conviction on charges of third degree murder and homicide by vehicle while DUI, both first-degree felonies, felony aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, and related offenses.

The fatal incident was Strowhouer sixth DUI case.

At about 9:22 p.m. on Feb. 16, Upper Chichester Police responded to the 3300 block of Market Street for the report of a vehicle crash.

Officers found a 2019 Subaru with a male driver, later identified as Eckman's husband, and an unresponsive female passenger, later identified as Deana Eckman.

Eckman's husband was extricated from the car and transported to the hospital for his injuries.
Eckman was pronounced dead on the scene.

Witnesses said a dark Dodge Ram pickup truck crossed the double yellow lines, going into the opposite lane of travel, then struck the Subaru head on.

An unoccupied, heavily damaged Dodge Ram pickup truck was on the berm of the southbound lane of travel.

Strowhouer then came up to police on scene, said he was a passenger in the truck, and that his cousin had been driving the pickup truck.

Police said Strowhouer had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and that he was intoxicated to the extent that he could not safely operate a motor vehicle.

He claimed he had been at a local bar where he and his family had gathered after the funeral of his mother earlier that day. Strowhouer claimed that he and his cousin left the gathering to go to Chester to buy cocaine.

An investigation, witness testimony, and video surveillance showed Strowhouer was drinking throughout the day and was highly intoxicated when he left a location where his family had gathered. He got behind the wheel of truck, and drove out of the area.

About 20 minutes later, Strowhouer, travelling up to 78 miles per hour, drove the truck into the opposite lane of travel on Market Street when he struck the victims' Subaru, killing Deana Eckman and severely injuring her husband.

Law enforcement officers were able to prove that Strowhouer lied about his cousin driving the pickup truck as his cousin was in Puerto Rico at the time of the crash.

Strowhouer's blood was drawn by hospital personnel and he was found to have cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol in his system.