Suspect in Ashley McLean death formally arraigned
He’s facing homicide charges in Aug. 26 hit-run of 27-year-old
The alleged driver in the fatal hit-and-run death of 27-year-old Ashley McLean was formally arraigned on homicide and related charges Monday.
Domair L. Brown, 31, of the 100 block of Greenwood Road in Sharon Hill is charged with homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, accidents involving death or personal injury, falsely incriminating another person, tampering with evidence and criminal use of a communication facility for the fatal crash at 84th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard in the early morning hours of Aug. 26.
Brown was arrested Sept. 14 at a house in Chester after an intensive investigation led by county detectives, according to District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
Police said Brown had spent hours drinking and smoking marijuana, then got behind the wheel and hit McLean before fleeing the scene and dumping the damaged car at Penrose Plaza in Tinicum Township.
He also pressured his girlfriend into lying to police about the car, according to investigators.
McLean, the daughter of longtime Folcroft Police Officer Leslie McLean, was struck and killed about 2:20 a.m. The driver sped from the scene, but police later developed Brown as a suspect after canvassing numerous surveillance cameras and speaking to witnesses.
Former defense attorney Dan McGarrigle previously described the case as a “tragic accident” and said Brown’s heart goes out to the family of the victim.
Brown waived a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Tammi Forbes in October and stood mute on advice of defense counsel Nathan Orians after the charges were read Monday in open court before Common Pleas Court Judge Kevin F. Kelly.
He is also separately charged with flight to avoid apprehension and evading arrest. Both matters have been scheduled for pretrial conference Feb. 12 before Kelly.
Deputy District Attorney Laurie Moore handled Monday’s arraignment, but the case will be prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Doug Rhoads.
Brown remains in the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.