Former state trooper pleads guilty in traffic death

COURTHOUSE — A former Pennsylvania state trooper pleaded guilty on Tuesday to causing a car crash while driving under the influence that resulted in the death of a young woman.

Barry Searfoss, 42, of the 400 block of Gavin Drive in Coatesville, was sentenced to six to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to an amended charge of involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence at the highest rate, which is 0.16 percent blood alcohol content or higher. His sentence will begin at Montgomery County Correctional Facility on March 17. Sear-- foos will be placed on probation for two years after he is released from prison and will also have to complete 100 hours of community service and attend regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

“Given all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the case and the very difficult legal issues the commonwealth faced in proving all of the charges in trial, this was the best result for the victim’s family to get justice and to make sure the defendant was punished for what he did,” Deputy District Attorney Samantha Cauffman said.

Defense attorney Christen Hoey said he was pleased with the deal, which was able to be worked out in court on Wednes- day.

“He was facing up to three years minimum with the lead charge,” Hoey stated after the hearing. He said through investigative work on his end, a deal that worked for the defense and the commonwealth was worked out.

Family members of the victim, however, would have liked to see Searfoss see more time in prison.

“We do think that the sentence is light in consideration of the loss of a life,” Doreen Thomas-Payne, a cousin of the victim, said after the trial. “There is the thought we can’t help but think the justice system is unfair. We also realize that a lot of the DUI laws need to be revised. There has to be a lot of work on the laws considering DUIs.

“We are hurt, we are extremely disappointed that it came to this point and the amount of time that he will serve being as though he will be eligible for parole in six months,” Thomas-Payne said.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on May 18, 2012, at 9:58 p.m. a car crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Upper Dublin was reported to state police. When troopers arrived, they found fire personnel putting out a 1997 Lincoln Town Car that was fully engulfed in flames. Police also saw a 2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that had been in-

volved in the crash. Police later discovered the victim was 21-year-old Robin Taneisha Williams of Philadelphia. A forensic pathologist determined she died from blunt force injuries, thermal burns and smoke inhalation.

At the scene of the accident, Searfoss told investigators that “something was happening ahead. They were stopped in the road.”

Police, through the course of the investigation, were able to determine there was a large speed differential between the two vehicles. The affidavit states that Searfoss, who was driving the Toyota Tacoma, was driving at a rate of 71 to 76 miles per hour and the Lincoln Town Car was moving at a rate of 11 to 16 miles per hour when it was rear-ended by Searfoss.

One witness told police she was driving on the turnpike around 10 p.m. when another vehicle, the Lincoln Town Car, began to pass her in the left lane. She said heard the vehicle make a lot of noise and saw it suddenly slow down. She said she then looked in her rearview mirror and saw a fireball. Other witnesses told a similar story to police. Witnesses also described Searfoss as “wobbly” and possibly drunk when they witnessed the him get out of his truck.

Investigators determined Searfoss was at a charity event at the Five Ponds Golf Course in Warminster. The “Bump and Run” golf event was to raise money for a girl who was killed in a car accident in 1997. The affidavit of probable cause states that beer was offered to golfers during the day but not at night. However, one of the bartenders told police Searfoss was not cut off during the night and was drinking until he left the event.

A blood draw would later determine that at the time of the accident Searfoss’ blood alcohol content level was at 0.188 percent. Police also had him perform a field sobriety test and reported he was visibly drunk during the tests. Searfoss later admitted to hitting the car and told police he had been drinking prior to the accident.