Glenside man accused of homicide by vehicle while DUI in fatal pedestrian crash

LOWER MORELAND » A Glenside man allegedly was speeding and driving under the influence of multiple controlled substances when he struck and killed a woman who was walking her dog on a sidewalk in Lower Moreland, according to court documents.

Michael J. Petrocik, 63, of the 2200 block of Oakdale Avenue, was arraigned on Thursday before District Court Judge Jay S. Friedenberg on charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of controlled substances, homicide by

vehicle, DUI, careless driving, reckless driving, driving at unsafe speeds and disregarding traffic lanes in connection with the Dec. 29, 2021, crash that claimed the life of 61-year-old pedestrian Mary T. Duffy.

Petrocik posted $20,000 cash bail to remain free while awaiting a March 15 preliminary hearing on the charges. A conviction of a charge of homicide by vehicle while DUI can carry a mandatory threeyear prison term.

The fatal crash occurred in the 3000 block of Philmont Avenue in the Huntingdon Valley section of Lower Moreland.

“The nature of this crash and the crash support the findings that Michael Petrocik was operating his vehicle at an excessive speed and failed to maintain his vehicle on the roadway while under the influence of several controlled substances,” Lower Moreland Police Sergeant John Stevens, who is in charge of the department’s traffic safety unit, alleged in the arrest affidavit. “The actions of Michael Petrocik resulted in the death of Mary T. Duffy.”

Duffy’s dog survived the crash, authorities said.

The investigation began about 12:12 p.m. Dec. 29, when Lower Moreland police responded to the Philmont Avenue location for a report of a pedestrian crash and found Duffy “in serious medical condition” lying on a sidewalk in the block.

Officers also observed a 2013 Audi A6 vehicle on the grass approximately 164 feet north of where Duffy was found, according to the criminal complaint.

The vehicle, operated by Petrocik, had heavy front end damage from striking a stone concrete wall prior to coming to a stop.

Duffy was transported to a local trauma center where she underwent emergency surgery for her injuries. Duffy was later pronounced dead at 1:27 a.m. Dec. 30, according to court papers. An autopsy determined Duffy died of multiple blunt impact injuries as a result of the crash.

“The entire crash was captured on video surveillance footage from a local business near the crash,” Stevens wrote in the arrest affidavit.

The investigation determined Duffy was walking her dog northbound on the sidewalk while Petrocik’s vehicle was proceeding northbound in the northbound lane of Philmont Avenue.

The roadway was clear and dry and it was daylight when the crash occurred and the investigation determined Petrocik’s vehicle was traveling between 45- and 48-mph during the crash event in an area in which the posted speed limit is 35 mph, according to the criminal complaint.

“The Petrocik vehicle entered into the roadway curve and failed to negotiate the curve,” Stevens alleged.

Petrocik’s vehicle traveled off the northbound side of the roadway onto the paved berm and continued onto the grass area. After crossing the section of grass, the vehicle entered onto the sidewalk area where the passenger side front headlight struck Duffy “knocking her into a pole, then to the ground,” authorities alleged.

Petrocik’s vehicle continued north across the sidewalk and grass area, crossed over an asphalt driveway of a property in the 3100 block of Philmont Avenue, entered another grassy area and then struck a stone wall “and went airborne before coming to rest in the grass,” according to the arrest affidavit.

“Investigators were unable to locate any signs of braking from the vehicle across the travelled surfaces,” Stevens alleged. “Investigators reviewed the video footage of the crash frame by frame and noted at no time are the brake lights activated on the Petrocik vehicle.”

Investigators determined there were no mechanical problems with the vehicle that could have contributed to the crash.

“It appears based on the evidence left by the vehicle and the distance travelled that the operator failed to react to this event. The Petrocik vehicle travelled approximately 300 feet after leaving the roadway,” alleged Stevens, who was assisted by Montgomery County detectives during the investigation.

Authorities alleged Petrocik showed signs of intoxication or impairment, including slurred speech and he appeared unsteady on his feet.

“Petrocik also admitted to being on prescription medications and stated that he could not recall what happened. In addition, Petrocik admitted to using marijuana the night before and stated that he had a medical marijuana card,” Stevens alleged.

Blood tests found various levels of multiple prescription medications including Valium, Wellbutrin and Prozac and metabolites of marijuana in Petrocik’s system, controlled substances that “can cause significant impairment to driving and distorted perception along with confusion,” authorities alleged in court documents.

“After completing the crash investigation, the crash investigators determined that the causation of this crash was directly related to the combination of the level of impairment of Michael Petrocik as well as the speed and manner of operation in which Michael Petrocik was operating his vehicle,” Stevens alleged.

Assistant District Attorney Gabrielle C. Hughes is prosecuting the case. Court records indicate defense lawyer Joseph Kevin Kelly, of Philadelphia, represents Petrocik.

Michael J. Petrocik