Pennsylvania State Police say that a truck driver was distracted by watching an NFL football game behind the wheel while he caused a crash that claimed the life of a motorcyclist on I-81 last October.
This week, 34 year old truck driver Kevin Souriyavong was charged with felony homicide by vehicle in connection with a crash last fall.
BREAKING: Coroner called to scene of crash on I-81 South. Crash involving tractor trailer and motorcycle at milepost 43 (after Plainfield) pic.twitter.com/0DqhbMT1zP
— Amanda Peterson (@_AmandaPeterson) October 16, 2017
The crash happened at 3 a.m. on October 16, 2017, on southbound I-81 at mile marker 44 in Dickinson Township when Souriyavong’s semi truck collided with the back of a motorcycle ridden by John T. Baum, 56, and his sister Lori Radnor, according to PennLive.
Baum died at the scene. Radnor suffered broken bones in her pelvis, ribs, and foot as well as a neck injury. Souriyavong wasn’t hurt.
Police say that there’s no evidence that Souriyavong slowed the truck prior to the crash.
During the post-crash investigation, Souriyavong admitted to police that he had been distracted, but said that the was looking at construction on a new warehouse along the interstate.
However, after investigators reviewed dash cam footage, they believe that Souriyavong was watching a recording of the October 15 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Police say that the crash happened at the moment that the Steelers fumbled the ball while returning a kick.
Investigators also discovered a number of text messages involving betting on the game that demonstrated that Souriyavong had “a vested interested in the outcome of the game.”
In addition to the homicide charges, Souriyavong was also charged with following too closely, texting while driving, using an image-display device while driving, careless driving, and reckless driving.
Souiyavong was released on $10,000 bail.