DUI homicide case moves forward

BY STACI WILSON

Charges against the Kingsley man accused of killing two pedestrians while driving drunk in February will head to trial in Susquehanna County.

Brett Bennett, 40, faces two felony counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, two felony counts of homicide by vehicle, and a misdemeanor count of DUI, among other traffic offenses.

District Judge Jodi Cordner bound over all charges for trial following a preliminary hearing Monday in New Milford District Court.

Edward TurnerIIIand Brian Thomas, both ofNew Milford, were pronounced dead at the Feb. 25 crash scene, on Route 11 inNew Milford.

At the preliminary hearing, Susquehanna County Coroner Anthony Conarton said the cause of death for both men was multiple traumatic injuries – the consequence of being struck by a motor vehicle.

Bennett’s attorney, Kevin Fitagerald asked the coroner about toxicology reports for Turner and Thomas.

Conarton said Turner’s blood alcohol level was .279; and Thomas’ was .235.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Robert Bauman also took the stand at the hearing.

Bauman said he had interviewed witnesses after he arrived at the scene then spoke with Bennett and also noted a red, Dodge pickup truck with severe front end damage.

On the stand, Bauman said that at the scene, Bennett said he had been traveling south on Rt. 11, faster than he should have been, when he came upon the two men crossing the road.

Bauman said Bennett told him he tried to swerve, but the men also moved and he hit them.

The trooper said Bennett’s blood alcohol content was .148 percent. The legal limit is .08 percent.